Public servants warned on politics

Feb 15, 2006

THE head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Henry Mitala, yesterday warned pubic servants against engaging in partisan politics under the multiparty dispensation.

By Vision Reporter

THE head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Henry Mitala, yesterday warned pubic servants against engaging in partisan politics under the multiparty dispensation.

Addressing a workshop for Permanent Secretaries and senior public service officers, Mitala said public servants were meant to serve the government of the day without being partisan.

“Under the multiparty political dispensation, the people in the public service implement government policies and advise the government on key policies. That is why they were asked to resign 90 days to the elections (if they are to participate in politics),” he said.

Permanent secretaries and presidential advisors are attending the four-day workshop at the foreign affairs ministry offices.

Mitala said the public service had improved during the last 20 years.

The deputy secretary to cabinet, Opio Lukone, said the public service in a multiparty setting was there to implement the policy priorities, which have been debated and voted on by the public during the campaigns.

“We should be ready to serve the government that wins the February 23 presidential and parliamentary elections,” he said.

The workshop was organised under an administrative memorandum of partnership between Uganda and the government of the province of Ontario (Canada) and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.

He said the workshop aimed at sensitising public servants to advise the Government on the most pressing issues and provide ministers with packages for making decisions.

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