Katumba Wamala 'to help increase efficiency'

The appointment of General Katumba Wamala as the state minister for works is to relieve the ministry in a number of challenges it has been going through for some time.

Engineer Monica Ntege Azuba (picture), the minister of works and transport said the illustrious General who has been the army commander, former  inspector general of police among other high offices he has gone through  is a strong  weapon for the ministry in lobbying and enforcement in critical areas.

The minister who presided over the ministry corporate prayer breakfast attended  by all  members of staff at their head offices, Port Bell Road in Kampala  on Friday, said the ministry has for long been faced with challenges like the ongoing battle for Bukasa land meant for the development of a port that the General will ably assist to handle.

While addressing the ministry staff for the first time since his appointment, Katumba emphasized teamwork and avoiding blame games to improve ministry activities.

He however challenged the ministry as the overseer of all structures in the country to renovate the buildings in which they do carry out their work.

The  ministry  staff  were  briefed on the mandatory formation of Savings  Cooperatives Societies (SACCOs)  among  all staff  of government ministries  aimed  at  facilitation of public servants with affordable credit services.

Katumba pledged to benchmark the army Wazalendo SACCO, the biggest in the county, when forming the works and transport ministry SACCO. 

He said Wazalendo has assisted the army officers at lower ranks most disproving critics that it was started to benefit high ranking officers. 

Bageya Waiswa the ministry permanent secretary warned members of staff about financial indiscipline both in office and at home and embrace the ministry SACCO to avoid external borrowings like from money lenders with tough conditions.

Bageya called for the saving culture amongst government workers through financial discipline by borrowing only where it is critically necessary.