Minister warns civil servants on late coming,absenteeism

PIC: State Minister for local government, Jenipher Namuyangu (right) during her health visit in Rukungiri. (Credit: Caleb Bahikaho)

WORK ETHICS

RUKUNGIRI - State minister for local government, Jenipher Namuyangu has warned civil servants against late coming and absenteeism saying they risk losing their jobs.

Namuyangu made the remarks on her visit in Rukungiri district on Tuesday to monitor service delivery of government programmes especially in Agriculture, education, health and water departments.

During her stay in Rukungiri, Namuyangu visited Kebisoni health centre IV in Rubabo county where she was inforemd that the  outpatient department always open at 9am.

"The outpatient department is the one that gives in patient department what to do assume an expectant mother who started labour pains at night and is here is the morning deos she get to wait up to 9:am when OPD starts working? You have to stop that immediately," she said.

She asked the newly elected chairpersons for LC1 and 2 to always monitor government institutions in their areas and present a report to the sub-county chiefs who will later submit them to chief administrative officers for action.

"We have enhanced your salaries but it will be for those who want to work, the era of sitting home or doing your private work and at the end of the month you take free government money is now over you have to work for the salary," she added.

Namuyangu asked the chief administrative officer, Wilson Kamukungu to orient local council chairpersons to help them on monitoring government institutions at least three times a week and give them a report.

"I will not allow the lame excuses your giving me that you don't have accommodation at your work place.

"All of us we don't sleep at the office but we are at our duty stations in time regardless of the jam in the city."

She directed that all health facilities must open at 8:00am and close at 5:00pm. However, she also warned against sending away patients to come the next day when it clocks 5pm.

"You must know that your job is not only a job but also a calling from God, how can you leave a dying patient on a verandah claiming that its past your duty time. God must also punish you in the same way."

The minister also visited two farmers; Ronald Muwanguzi and retired bishop Emeritus Patrick Tugume Tusingwaire who are supported by operation wealth creation programme in banana farming and apple growing respectively.

She uplauded agriculture extension workers in Kebisoni sub-county for frequently visiting farmers and advised them on how to make good farming practices as it was manifested by farmers.