Museveni warns civil servants on corruption

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged public servants to eradicate corruption and cease working in cliques, emphasizing that these vices hinder citizen inclusiveness in policy implementation and thereby impede economic growth.

Museveni stressed that no state or country can develop, grow, or transform without the stabilizing influence of the security sector. These remarks were made at the 13th Africa Public Service Day 2024 held at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds that were presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo

He challenged public servants to deepen their roots and achieve more in service delivery, emphasizing the need to eliminate corruption, increase and accelerate the speed of service delivery at the grassroots level, and build partnerships with stakeholders worldwide.

The Africa Public Service Day 2024 was being held under the theme “Empowering a Citizen Centric Public Service for an Inclusive and Thriving 21st Century Africa; a Journey of Lifelong Learning and Transformation”

Museveni appealed to civil servants to reduce barriers to poor people accessing their services, enhance discovery and participation, and strengthen their voices. He also urged them to move resources to the community level from the center expeditiously and implement the one-stop center concept, automating their services and reviewing business processes regularly to capture new trends.

The President emphasized the importance of holding regular barazas for transparency and citizen participation in a speech read on his behalf by the Vice President Retired Major Jessica Alupo .

According to Public Service Permanent Secretary  Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwire, Public Service Day is commemorated by African Union member states as a biennial event recognizing that democracy and good governance are built on a foundation of a competent civil service.

Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service, highlighted technological disparities and corruption as barriers to inclusive growth and service delivery, appealing for urgent action to address these issues. She also expressed concern over the uncertainty caused by the recent RAPEX (Rationalization of Agencies and Public Expenditure) reforms, which have affected service delivery in some sectors. Nakyobe urged the Ministry of Public Service to expedite clarification on the reforms to minimize disruptions.

Different government agencies show cased to the public the various services they offer. Atleast 60 of them including Ministries and , departments ,agencies participated in the Exercise.

These included  the Ministry of Health, Office of the President, State House, Judiciary, Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Uganda Police Force, National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps -NSPC, and Kampala Capital City Authority.

The KCCA tent showcased urban agriculture techniques for limited spaces, while the Ministry of Health offered free services like cancer screening and family planning. The Judiciary which was represented by Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija and Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary Dr. Pius Bigirimana, showcased services like electronic court management and various court processes.

On their part, the Ministry of Defense and Veran Affairs  through the Principal Human Resource Officer William Enyimu show cased services like some of the food items made by themselves as well as uniforms and attires such as shoes and clothes made out of African materials.

The Secretariat for Patriotism Corps through its Communications Officer Ian Gumisiriza show cased students who are members of patriotism Clubs in their respective schools and it is only their stall that the Vice President Major Alupo inspected and interacted with the staff prior to the official function.

Gumisiriza said there are misconceptions about patriotism by  people  who think it’s partisan and go on decampaigning it not to happen in schools, but today they have participated to explain to the public that this is a national strategic program aimed at teaching values of loving a country and one another regardless of one’s political affiliations.

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