President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently addressed the imperative for public servants to combat corruption and avoid working in isolated groups, stressing that these behaviors obstruct citizen engagement in policy execution and hinder economic advancement.
During the 13th Africa Public Service Day 2024 at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds, Vice President Jessica Alupo presided over the event where Museveni underscored the critical role of the security sector in fostering development and stability within nations.
Museveni urged civil servants to deepen their commitment to efficient service delivery, focusing on eradicating corruption, enhancing the speed of services at the grassroots level, and fostering global partnerships.
The theme of Africa Public Service Day 2024 was “Empowering a Citizen-Centric Public Service for an Inclusive and Thriving 21st Century Africa; a Journey of Lifelong Learning and Transformation.”
In his address, Museveni urged civil servants to dismantle barriers preventing marginalized communities from accessing services, promote inclusivity, and empower local communities by decentralizing resources and implementing streamlined service centers.
He emphasized the importance of transparency and citizen participation through regular barazas, which Vice President Jessica Alupo delivered on his behalf.
Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwire, Permanent Secretary of Public Service, highlighted that Public Service Day serves as a biennial celebration across African Union member states, emphasizing the foundational role of an effective civil service in promoting democracy and good governance.
Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service, identified technological disparities and corruption as obstacles to inclusive growth and service delivery, urging immediate action to address these challenges. She also expressed concerns about disruptions caused by recent RAPEX reforms and called for clarity from the Ministry of Public Service.
The event featured exhibitions from over 60 government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, State House, Judiciary, Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Uganda Police Force, National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC), and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Highlights included urban agriculture techniques demonstrated by KCCA and free health services such as cancer screenings provided by the Ministry of Health. The Judiciary showcased advancements in electronic court management, while the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs exhibited locally produced items and apparel made from African materials.
The NSPC, represented by its Communications Officer Ian Gumisiriza, presented student members of patriotism clubs, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of their initiatives aimed at instilling national values and unity among young people.
Overall, the event served as a platform to promote governmental transparency, innovation in service delivery, and citizen engagement across various sectors of Uganda’s public service.
