Report calls for overhaul of public service rewards, sanctions system

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A new government survey done to assess performance in the civil service has called for the overhaul of the Public Service Rewards and Sanctions system.

This overhaul is expected to help address declining productivity in the service.

Titled Targeted Review Report on Non-Responsive Civil Service in Uganda, the report also wants funding to the Civil Service College of Uganda in Jinja City increased to improve specialised capacity building.

Competitive work environment

The overall objective of the rewards and sanctions system is to create a competitive work environment that supports a culture of continuous improvements in performance, productivity, innovation, and service delivery in the public service.

However, the report notes that the country's civil service sanctions system was not sufficiently deterrent to "undesirable conduct" and is not motivating enough for exceptional performances.

As a result, it notes that not many workers strive for self-improvement which engenders mediocrity.

It adds that this is exacerbated by the permanent and pensionable terms of employment in public service jobs which means many are not fearful of losing employment over poor performance.

"As a result, many employees were not proactive enough to respond to the changing citizens' needs, " the report says.

The report was launched on January 25 by the National Planning Authority in conjunction with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.

Case backlog

Uganda's labour productivity currently stands at $3.53 (about sh13,200) per hour of work, according to the International Labor Organisation.

Although this is far above the average for low-income African countries of $2.93 (about shillings 11,000), it is lower than Kenya’s which is at $4.75 (about 18,000).

“This explains why investors prefer foreigners: Notably Indians and Kenyans over Ugandans, further exacerbating the already dire unemployment landscape in the country,” the report says.