Civil servants asked to use new technologies to tackle poverty

By Francis Emorut                                        

Civil servants have been advised to develop new innovation technologies that will improve service delivery in the country, fight poverty and enhance socio-economic transformation.

“We live in an era full of technological innovations and we can access any type of information and therefore, utilize it,” Henry Kajura, the First Deputy Prime Minister and minister of public service, said.

This is contained in a speech read for him by the head of civil servants and secretary to the Cabinet, John Mitala.

He was speaking during the opening of the leadership and change management training at the new premises of Civil Service College-Uganda in Jinja.

true

The Head of Civil Service John Mitala (right) talks to Under Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports  Doreen Katusiime and the acting permanent Secretary of the ministry of public service Adah Muwanga during the opening of  leadership training at the Civil  Service College Uganda in Jinja .  Photo/Wilfred Sanya

The training which attracted under permanent secretaries, commissioners and directors of government ministries and departments aimed at equipping public servants with leadership skills for effective and efficient public service for the transformation of the country.

“We have mental capacity to look at creative ways to face challenges and maximize opportunities. Given such opportunities you need to be proactive to find out what needs to be changed within your jurisdiction and what may need cabinet and Parliament approval,” Kajura stated.  

He observed that building a robust public service requires excellence in leadership skills across the board.

“There has been a shift in good governance towards innovations and leadership as drivers of success,” he said.

“This task needs knowledge, skills, attitudes and networks that enable working with stakeholders balancing long and short term objectives in the context of change, creating a shared vision and strategy and empowering people.”

He pointed out that personal integrity, time management, efficiency at work, communications and management skills and capacity to nurture team spirit are key determinants of the impact of leadership.

The First Premier reminded the public officers that political leaders come and go but civil servants remain in the lead.

“This continuity imparts institutional strength to governance,” he said.

He blamed the inefficiency in public service to outdated and inflexible policies, procedures and practices that leads to delays unnecessary paperwork.

“Length file movement for action and public officers become not change managers, but prisoners of change resisting change,” he said.

He emphasized that what Uganda needs therefore, are result oriented and exemplary leaders in public service at all levels.

On her part, the acting permanent secretary in the ministry of public service, Adah Muwanga, said the leadership and change management programme was launched in 2012.

Muwanga said the objective of the programme is to enhance the capacity of leaders and managers in public service to think critically and strategically guide decision making for improved performance in service delivery and socio-economic transformation of the country.

The leadership program was supported by Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC).

Enoch Mutambi, the acting director of Civil Service College-Uganda underlined the importance of training as understanding the role of leadership in the transformation of public service and implementing the desired change in public service.