The Ministry of Public Service held a staff End of Year party on Friday December 16, 2016 at the National Records and Archives Centre. The function was graced by Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service as well as Dr. Pius Okong, the Chairperson of the Health Service Commission. At the function that was well attended by members of staff, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire highlighted the Ministry’s key achievements during the year 2016 which among others included:
- The Official Commissioning of the National Records and Archives Centre (NRAC),
- The approval of the comprehensive Restructuring Report for the Government of Uganda,
- The purchase of official vehicles for three former leaders namely, Former Vice President Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, Former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya and Former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Prof. Apollo Nsibambi,
- The holding of the Africa Public Service day with a highlight of a Corporate Social Responsibility donation of cement, mattresses and food stuffs to Cheshire Home Katalemwa where disabled children are being taken care of,
- The Training of over 300 staff from various Ministries at the Civil Service college Uganda (CSCU),
- The conclusion of the second phase of the validation exercise for Civil Servants using biometrics and the National IDs saving Government of Uganda UShs. 2 Billion in September 2016,
- The Tabling of the Public Service Pension Reform Cabinet Paper to cabinet,
- The official launch of the National Service Delivery Survey Report 2015,
- The holding of the Pearl of Africa Performance awards,
- Inauguration of the first clocking system,
- The Ministry fleet build up,
- The first Ministry Cultural day.
She mentioned that there had also been some challenges such as:
- Inadequate budget allocations,
- the demise of a member of staff,
- involvement of one of the Ministry vehicles in a motor accident,
- inadequate transport facilities during the 3rd & 4th Quarter of 2015/16,
- inadequate facilitation for motivation of staff,
- stigma due to the pension scam and bad publicity.
Despite all these shortcomings, the Ministry was able to steer successfully to the current level. The PS added that the Ministry is on an upward trend towards rebranding and that there is effort to create a deliberate culture of teamwork, transparency and accountability. She pledged on behalf of the Ministry to enhance publicity, visibility, timely and seamless payment of pension and salaries. She appreciated the executive team for the support they had rendered to the technical team, the Public Service and Local Government Parliamentary Committee for the interest in the Ministry and the initiated dialogue.
She thanked all the members of staff for having worked tirelessly during the past period and for having embraced the changes that had been experienced for the betterment of the Ministry.
The organizing committee through the Under Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, requested that at the next function, the Heads of Human Resources in the Public Service especially the central Ministries be invited and be part of the celebrations, which request the PS granted.
In his speech, The Minister of Public Service Hon. Muruli Mukasa congratulated the members of staff upon having completed the year, 2016, which had been characterized by so many changes. He emphasized that change was the only constant in life and that those that reject change are changed by making them irrelevant and redundant. The Minister implored the staff to consolidate the changes that there were, for purposes of assuming the ‘role that belongs to the Ministry of Public Service in the entire Service’. He emphasized the role of the Ministry in providing the right leadership to the entire Service. He requested the staff to work towards reclaiming the glory and fame the Ministry had in the past. “We must claim what was really ours. Not only in this country but in the region and in the Common Wealth. Uganda was always counted among the best Civil Services in the World.” He concluded by thanking the Chairperson of the HSC for having graced the occasion despite his busy schedule and also thanked the PS for having organized the function. He wished all employees a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when they are expected to consolidate the transformations and changes experienced through teamwork and also move irreversibly to that end when the Ministry shall be ‘The Public Service’.
Employees were entertained by Nyanji Cultural troupe who show cased different cultural dances alongside St. Teresa Choir who ushered the staff into the Christmas mood with Christmas Carols.
