The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, has called on newly appointed Cabinet Ministers to embrace discipline, integrity, and results-oriented leadership as they undergo induction training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
Speaking during the ongoing Ministers’ Retreat, Ms. Nakyobe congratulated the ministers on their appointments, saying their selection reflects the confidence and trust placed in them by President Yoweri Museveni and the people of Uganda.
She emphasized that the induction programme is not a routine orientation but a strategic leadership exercise aimed at equipping ministers with the skills and knowledge required to effectively execute their responsibilities in government.
“It cannot be business as usual,” Ms. Nakyobe told the ministers, urging them to adopt a results-driven approach to leadership and public service.
She noted that the focus of government leadership should no longer be on the existence of programmes, but on whether those programmes are making a measurable impact on the lives of Ugandans.
According to Ms. Nakyobe, citizens expect tangible improvements in critical sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, employment, and household incomes rather than promises and policy statements.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to socio-economic transformation, she highlighted flagship initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other wealth creation programmes aimed at eradicating poverty and steering Uganda towards upper middle-income status.
The Head of Public Service cautioned ministers against complacency, stressing that effective leadership requires direct engagement with communities rather than office-based supervision.
She further underscored the importance of collective responsibility within Cabinet, describing government as a unified institution that must operate through coordinated action and shared priorities across all sectors.
On accountability, Ms. Nakyobe urged ministers to uphold performance management, ensure value for money, and closely monitor government programmes to guarantee that public resources translate into improved livelihoods for citizens.
She also called for firm action against corruption, inefficiency, and abuse of office, warning that such practices undermine public trust and frustrate national development efforts.
The induction retreat continues with sessions on policy formulation, strategic planning, budgeting, institutional governance, and field visits to key national investment projects.
Ms. Nakyobe assured ministers of the Public Service’s full support in delivering on their mandates and encouraged them to actively participate in the retreat to strengthen coordination and improve service delivery.
“Together, we shall build a professional, disciplined and results-oriented Public Service that delivers for all Ugandans,” she said.
