Local Govt workers head to Kyankwanzi for retreat

By Francis Emorut       

Over 200 workers of ministry of local government have left Kampala for National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi for a retreat meant to enhance the capacity of staff to deliver services efficiently.

According to the acting permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Patrick Mutabwire, the four-day retreat will see staff improve their knowledge in service delivery.

“We are coming together to examine ourselves and refocus to serve what is better especially local government as a ministry must maximize knowledge and improve local service,” Mutabwire said.

The workers boarded four buses at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala on Thursday and were escorted by UPDF soldiers.

The staff will be addressed by the head of civil service and secretary to the Cabinet John Mitala, the minister of local government Adolf Mwesige and Enterprise Uganda boss Charles Ocici and other political heavyweights.

The retreat attended by directors, commissioners, senior principal officers, technocrats, finance officials and IT officials and others is also aimed at preparing the workers to adjust life when time for retirement comes.

The retreat will also inculcate skills on personal development and financial independence and to gain insight into how to grow in the service and remain relevant to both the employer and society.

It is also intended to promote team work among the officials and prudent work methods.

The civil servants will also be tasked to have mindset change towards work attitude.

The institute, which has become a key meeting point for political leaders and where pronouncements are made on how to govern the country  will train local government workers on leadership skills.

The institute popular for Chakamchaka during the early days of NRM regime meant to demystify a gun will be the ground for bull roasting for the local government staff.

Undergraduates before commencing studies at Makerere University have also been to the institute purely managed by the military.

The Cabinet and NRM MPs have also recently thronged the venue to deliberate on matters of governance and party issues respectively.

But opposition politicians have castigated the institute as a ground for indoctrination to instill NRM ideology to the populance by NRM cadres.