By John Okello Lapok
Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has closed the 10-day Cabinet Induction Retreat that took place at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi.
The Induction Retreat was opened by President Yoweri Museveni last week and attended by newly appointed Members of Cabinet and their Permanent Secretaries, Clerk to Parliament and Accounting Officers of Agencies.
In her closing remarks, Alupo urged the Participants to ensure that sound public policies are central to addressing national challenges and delivering meaningful outcomes for Ugandans as they discharge their duties.
“Equally important to know is the need to ensure that policies remain responsive to emerging realities and aligned with Government priorities. It is your role as Cabinet Ministers, and Permanent Secretaries to ensure that policies are aligned to national priorities and deliver tangible benefits to citizens,” she said.
She emphasized that as custodians of public trust, ministers are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Alupo called upon participants to stump out corruption and impunity which are major obstacles to effective governance and service delivery by providing strategic oversight, uphold integrity, and ensure accountability in public institutions.
“Both Cabinet Members and Permanent Secretaries must lead by example, set the tone, comply with leadership code requirements, and support efforts to strengthen public trust and improve service delivery,” she said.
She told the ministers and permanent secretaries that Planning must be accompanied by measurable targets, effective monitoring mechanisms, and regular evaluation to ensure that public resources are utilized efficiently and that Government interventions achieve their intended impact.
“You must therefore continuously assess performance, learn from experience, and make adjustments where necessary to improve outcomes,” she said.
Alupo said Strategic Leadership, emphasizes that leadership in public service extends beyond managing institutions as it requires vision, integrity, courage, accountability, and the ability to inspire teams to achieve results. “Strategic leaders must anticipate future challenges, make informed decisions, and create an environment where innovation and excellence can thrive,” she noted.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IV
For the case of newly appointed Ministers, newly re-appointed Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries, Alupo explained that the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) consolidates the country’s vision through the first phase of Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy aimed at accelerating socio-economic transformation through agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral development, science, technology and innovation as the key drivers of growth, supported by investments in infrastructure, human capital, and governance.
“You are therefore envisaged to drive the economy to the G.D.P of USD500billion annually,” she stressed.
She further said the NDP IV and Tenfold growth strategy require strong leadership, policy reforms, accountability, and a collective commitment by Government institutions led by Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to achieve inclusive and sustainable national development.
In a bigger picture she said, the same leadership and commitment is required to spearhead attainment of the Vision 2040, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals globally.
She reminded the Members, that international relations and diplomacy is a key instrument for promoting and protecting Uganda’s national interests urging them to be up to the task by playing their role correctly and legally in regional, continental, and global organizations stressing the growing importance of economic and commercial diplomacy in advancing trade, investment, tourism, and development cannot be over emphasized.
“Uganda’s foreign policy is anchored in the Constitution and implemented through established diplomatic channels coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, only authorized officials may enter into international agreements on behalf of Uganda and all foreign engagements should be conducted in accordance with Government policy, international law, and diplomatic protocol,” she said.
The induction retreat was structured under carefully chosen thematic areas by examining presentations relating to the theme on the Structure of Government and the Whole-of-Government Approach.
The presentations explained the concept and characteristics of a State and highlighted the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary as the three Arms of Government.
