The Uganda Public Service commemorated the 7th Africa Public Service Day on Friday 22nd June 2018 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds under the theme: “Combating corruption in Public Service institutions through stakeholder participation and promotion of Ethical Leadership to realize the objectives of Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”.
The Africa Public Service Day is celebrated annually on the 23rd June and is held in recognition of the contribution of the Public Servant to the development process of the country and to encourage the younger generation to pursue careers in the Public Sector.
While officiating as the Guest of Honour, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Gen. Moses Ali who represented the Premier of the Republic of Uganda noted that Government cannot deliver services to the citizenry without an efficient and effective Public Service. He observed that service delivery in Uganda had greatly improved owing to automation of some of the business processes in several government institutions hence enhancing efficiency, effectiveness and transparency.
The State Minister of Public Service, Hon. David Karubanga while giving his remarks took cognisance that corruption leads to under development and conflict and that it was the reason government has taken measures against corruption and stop wastage of public resources since 1986. With each Ministry, Department, Agency and Local Government having a clear mandate, vision, mission, objectives and expected outputs, it is easier to track performance of any entity against funds appropriated by parliament.
He added that the decentralization policy which is a success is another policy that has led to reduction of corruption in the Public Service and has brought services closer to the people.
In his remarks, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Dr. John Mitala mentioned that corruption affects the disadvantaged as well as the less privileged sections of the society and only benefits those in power and authority. He commended the ongoing reforms for improving accountability and attainment of value for money as they are enhancing transparency and citizen’s participation in decision making at local levels. He reiterated the implementation of client charters which is a basis for service delivery standards.
During her remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire (Mrs.) emphasized government efforts to fight corruption through formulation and enforcement of a code of conduct and ethics for the Public Service which guides their behaviours. She observed that this has led to improved and promotion of moral values inherent in the duties of Public Service employees so as to ensure transparency in service delivery.
The celebrations started with a procession from the Ministry of Public Service Headquarters in Wandegeya to the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds led by the Uganda Police Band. In the match were representatives from the different government entities that included Ministries, Departments and Agencies. They also included an exhibition at Kololo where over forty (40) different entities were able to exhibit their services to the general public. There was a blood donation drive at the ceremonial grounds which was sponsored by Uganda Blood Transfusion, one of the government entities.
The Ministry of Public Service and the National Organising Committee of the National celebrations lined up a number of build-up activities which included among others a sports gala and Corporate Social Responsibility Activities.
As the Sports gala two sports were played i.e. Football and Netball. The event run for two days on 19th and 20th June 2018 at the Makerere University Sports Grounds. Makerere University staff won the football trophy after beating Ministry of Education and Sports in the finals while Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development won the Netball trophy after beating the Office of the Prime Minister. The Sports gala is meant to be an annual event in commemoration of the Africa Public Service Day.
Different MDA’s prepared Corporate Social Responsibilities in the spirit of giving back to the community and among them was Office of the Prime Minister which visited and donated assorted items to the patients of Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago Hospital and Ministry of Education & Sports which visited Kiwanga Orphanage and donated scholastic materials to the pupils.
The Ministry of Public Service is mandated to enhance performance and Accountability in the Public Service. In furtherance of this mandate, the Ministry institutionalized a Competitive Performance Assessment framework across institutions and rolled out the Pearl of Africa Institutional Performance Assessment Scorecard (PAIPAS) to MDAs and LGs. At the celebrations, the Commissioner in charge of Public Service Inspection declared the PAIPAS results for the FY 2016/2017 and the 1st Deputy Premier presented awards to the best performing entities.