Mass poisoning at Fergana kindergartens: Supplier benefited from regional administration’s favoritism

Despite formal warnings from the Anti-Corruption Agency regarding the illegality of the contract, the regional administration continued to grant the company preferential treatment, bypassing competitive tender processes.

Illegal selection and lack of experience

On July 25, 2024, the governor of Fergana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, signed a decree introducing a catering system in state kindergartens in the city of Kuvasoy. The proposal by Garden Catering Trade LLC was approved for a pilot project, with plans to expand the service to Fergana city if successful.

However, at the time the decree was signed, the supplier had been in existence for just over a month. According to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 626, catering providers must have at least one year of experience in the food service industry. Garden Catering Trade LLC, registered on June 21, 2024, failed to meet this basic legal requirement.

The regional administration initially justified the selection by claiming the company was a joint venture with Turkish partners. Officials stated that 12 high-ranking Turkish chefs and two nutritional engineers were involved, promising a menu of over 100 healthy dishes. While originally established as a joint venture between Iqboljon Bozorov and Yildirim Adem, the company is now 100% owned by Iqboljon Bozorov.

Ignored warnings from the Anti-Corruption Agency

The Anti-Corruption Agency informed Kun.uz that it had identified these violations as early as July 2024. The agency found that the direct selection of Garden Catering Trade LLC violated the Law on Public Procurement.

In response, the agency submitted a formal representation to the Fergana regional administration, demanding that the violations be rectified, the contract be re-tendered on a competitive basis, and responsible officials be disciplined.

"The regional administration took no practical measures to eliminate the violations mentioned in the representation," the agency stated. "Bypassing tender processes in favor of affiliated persons not only damages the budget but also directly endangers the lives and health of children."

Health crisis and criminal investigation

The consequences of these administrative failures became evident on February 20, 2026, when 62 children from state kindergartens No. 2, 58, and 61 in Fergana city were hospitalized with acute diarrhea. Preliminary investigation materials confirm that the food causing the poisoning was supplied by the company in question.

In light of the incident, a criminal case has been initiated under Article 257–1 of the Criminal Code (Violation of sanitary legislation or anti-epidemic rules).