Ministers challenged on new targets
Dec 09, 2010
MINISTERS and permanent secretaries yesterday started a two-day retreat to evaluate their performance in the last financial year and to set new targets.
By Cyprian Musoke
MINISTERS and permanent secretaries yesterday started a two-day retreat to evaluate their performance in the last financial year and to set new targets.
The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, who opened the annual retreat, criticised government officials for missing their targets and failing to monitor activities under their charge.
“You will recall that the President wrote to all ministers and permanent secretaries on March 16, reiterating the need to monitor government performance.
“There is evidence that some mistakes have been repeated in design and implementation of our policies and programmes,†he said.
These mistakes, Nsibambi advised, can be avoided if findings and lessons from previous undertakings are discussed in an open and transparent manner.
Several ministers, he stressed, had not met targets which they themselves set.
“When setting targets, you must consider prevailing constraints and when you fail to achieve them, you must have strong reasons why,†he said, citing the works ministry.
Nsibambi noted that most ministers had found a scapegoat in the procurement law that delays processes.
He, however, said the Government had set up a committee chaired by the first deputy premier, Eriya Kategaya, which makes recommendations to Parliament.
“A key feature of successful organisations is their ability to learn from past experiences and react to changing conditions in the social, political or institutional environment,†he said.
Growing competition for resources, Nsibambi added, had created the need to learn from past experiences so as to do better in the future. This, he said, created a need for a credible feed back system.
The review process, Nsibambi added, is intended to examine public service delivery, financial management, security, justice and governance in order to improve Uganda’s competitiveness.
The general duties minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Janat Mukwaya, said two retreats would be held to discuss mid-term and annual performance; one in the middle and the other at the end of the year.
“This practice will help us ensure that we stay on track and continue to prosper through improved service delivery, good governance and accountability,†she said.
Bank of Uganda governor Tumusiime Mutebile and the finance ministers were tasked to ensure that they avail money for the priority areas identified.
MINISTERS and permanent secretaries yesterday started a two-day retreat to evaluate their performance in the last financial year and to set new targets.
The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, who opened the annual retreat, criticised government officials for missing their targets and failing to monitor activities under their charge.
“You will recall that the President wrote to all ministers and permanent secretaries on March 16, reiterating the need to monitor government performance.
“There is evidence that some mistakes have been repeated in design and implementation of our policies and programmes,†he said.
These mistakes, Nsibambi advised, can be avoided if findings and lessons from previous undertakings are discussed in an open and transparent manner.
Several ministers, he stressed, had not met targets which they themselves set.
“When setting targets, you must consider prevailing constraints and when you fail to achieve them, you must have strong reasons why,†he said, citing the works ministry.
Nsibambi noted that most ministers had found a scapegoat in the procurement law that delays processes.
He, however, said the Government had set up a committee chaired by the first deputy premier, Eriya Kategaya, which makes recommendations to Parliament.
“A key feature of successful organisations is their ability to learn from past experiences and react to changing conditions in the social, political or institutional environment,†he said.
Growing competition for resources, Nsibambi added, had created the need to learn from past experiences so as to do better in the future. This, he said, created a need for a credible feed back system.
The review process, Nsibambi added, is intended to examine public service delivery, financial management, security, justice and governance in order to improve Uganda’s competitiveness.
The general duties minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Janat Mukwaya, said two retreats would be held to discuss mid-term and annual performance; one in the middle and the other at the end of the year.
“This practice will help us ensure that we stay on track and continue to prosper through improved service delivery, good governance and accountability,†she said.
Bank of Uganda governor Tumusiime Mutebile and the finance ministers were tasked to ensure that they avail money for the priority areas identified.