The Minister of the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda has criticized public servants who disassociate themselves from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) system. The Minister says that such public servants forget that when the ruling party collapses, they also drown along with their government partners.
“You forget we are in the same boat. Following the current political trend, those who fight the NRM do so because they don’t see what the government has done. Unfortunately, they are targeting individuals and the positions we hold, including yours. So if you let the ship sink, we’ll all drown, even you, who doesn’t say anything in defense of the government. We will suffer the same consequences, ”he warned.
Honorable Babalanda made the remark today while officiating at the opening of a 4-day 3rd Administrative Officers Forum held at the Brovad Hotel in Masaka City.
Administrative officers attending the workshop include; undersecretaries,
Principal Assistant Secretaries, Senior Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries of all government ministries, departments and agencies.
The Minister also pointed out that the NRM government has been largely let down by selfish civil servants thwarting the excellent policies made by politicians.
“Currently, in Uganda; There is no political party that has more solutions to the problems of our people than the MRN. What is affecting us is intrigue, laziness, corruption and the lack of understanding of our roles as servants of the people, ”he stressed.
“Therefore, I wish to emphasize here that; You, as Administrative Officials, must serve with passion, commitment, competence and focus, despite the different challenges that the Public Service goes through. This is because he has a very big contribution to make in achieving the government’s promises to the Ugandans.”
The Honorable Babalanda further reminded the Administrative Officers of the four basic principles of the NRM which include; Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socioeconomic Transformation and Democracy. She said that if they appreciate and take to heart these four basic principles, and each of them does her part to implement them; they will serve in their posts for a long time; because the party will come to stay.
“The Four Basic Principles are the answer to all the needs of our people,” he emphasized.
Honorable Babalanda also explained that the Government of NRM has tried to equip Administrative Officials with the necessary tools for the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service and it is up to them, as public servants, to ensure that the government implements the National Development Plan and the NRM Manifesto.
“His Excellency the President has always emphasized that “The strength of the NRM and its ability to govern for more than three decades is now rooted in the party’s drive for the interests of the population rather than focusing on individual identity.” That is why NRM has been able to build a strong national army, bring peace, attract local and foreign businesses, produce goods and services, collect more taxes, cause socio-economic transformation and work with other African states for a strong continent.”
However, the Minister strongly warned Administrative Officers against corruption.
“As everyone knows, HE the President is committed to the fight against corruption and has always stated categorically that he will not tolerate corruption at any level of government,” said the Hon. Babalanda stated, adding: “The abuse of public office for private gain erodes people’s trust in the government and its institutions. Corruption disables the government’s ability to grow the economy in a way that benefits all citizens. It distorts the priorities of the government.”
Therefore, he called on officials to ensure they help the government clean up its public service image by working in unison to drive corruption out of the country.
He also praised the Anti-Corruption Unit of the House of Representatives, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), the Director of the Public Ministry (DPP) and the Anti-Corruption Tribunal for their energy invested in the fight against corruption.
“These actors have done a lot of good, even when the general public doesn’t get to know what they’re doing because these agencies talk less and act more.”
On the other hand, Brother Babalanda thanked the Administrative Officers for the services they provide to the country. She said that without her hard work and dedication, the achievements that Ugandans are seeing today would not have happened.
“Continue to follow the Public Service Regulations and the Ethical Code of Conduct for Public Servants to maintain a high level of integrity in your offices.”
In addition, the Minister expressed his appreciation to the Secretary of the Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande for promoting patriotism and professionalism among administrators. She described him as an exceptional and experienced public servant to be emulated.
“The Secretary, Office of the President; Hajji Yunus Kakande for example; he is always available in the office every weekday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Please refer to him but also imitate his working method. He has served for many years, rising from his levels to the top,” Hon. Babalanda commented.
“I can confirm that I have not heard any scandal around him. Therefore, I will be glad if you can emulate it, and in the future, the ‘bazukuku ba Museveni’ will testify about your performance, just as I am doing with Hajji Yunus Kakande.”
For his part, Hajji Kakande revealed that, as the Office of the President, they have a supervisory role of the entire government, so they must have representatives in all the Ministries and these are the Administrative Officers.
“Hon. Minister, we have to shape them because they are the ones who are going to achieve a good provision of services, ”he said.
Hajji Kakande also praised President Museveni for making a pivotal decision in which he charged the undersecretaries with the responsibility of heading departments and overseeing the various functions in the respective ministries they serve.
“I thank the President for realizing that this group is very critical in service delivery. This group should be seen as partners in development and can be used to see how the socio-economic development of this country is achieved”, said the Secretary. In the President’s Office he watched.
“Hospital administrators should also come under the office of the president for close supervision and to improve service delivery,” he added.
Hajji Kakande also suggested that the government should establish a fully functional Training Institute for civil servants in order to improve the cadre and prepare them to perform excellently in their duties as administrators.
“Maybe we can start to think of Kyankwanzi as a place where civil servants can go for a short course. The Uganda Institute of Management was a training place for civil servants, but when the reforms came it is now more of an academic institution. We also have a civil service school in Jinja, but it lacks some facilities like accommodation.”
In addition, he proposed that undersecretaries be given priority for promotion to the level of permanent secretary, as they have gained a lot of experience in the field.
“The trend of removing Permanent Secretaries from other areas has not worked well. I understand that it is within the powers of the president to appoint them, but he can be advised to make the reforms,” said Hajji Kakande.
Hajji Kakande also revealed that last year the Head of the Public Service set up a committee (of which he is a part) to renew the Administrative Cadre and among his observations was the undermining of the Undersecretaries by their superiors.
“The Permanent Secretaries do not delegate to their Undersecretaries. When they are not there, they delegate their functions to other people, but the correct thing is that when the Permanent Secretary is not there, the Undersecretary is in charge of it, ”he said.
“Hon. Minister, please make this group as formidable as you have done with the RDCs.”
Organized by the Office of the President, the general objective of the forum is to provide a platform for discussion, harmonization and repositioning of Administrative Officials to participate in the transformation of the Public Service.
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