District Leaders from the Bugisu, Sebei, and Bukedi sub-regions today convened for a high-level engagement with Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala of the Public Service Commission and Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, the Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Public Service Commissions, in a meeting aimed at enhancing public service delivery across Eastern Uganda.
The courtesy visit was organized to provide an opportunity for the Public Service Commission leadership to interact directly with district leaders and technical officers, understand the realities on the ground, and identify challenges affecting the effective implementation of government programs, policies, and laws.
Addressing the gathering, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala emphasized the importance of regular consultations between central government institutions and local government leaders, noting that effective service delivery can only be achieved when the concerns and experiences of frontline implementers are taken into account.
He observed that public servants are the backbone of government operations and play a critical role in translating national policies into tangible benefits for citizens. According to Gen. Katumba, the success of government initiatives in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and social protection depends largely on the commitment, professionalism, and efficiency of public officers.
“We have come to listen and learn from the leaders on the ground. Understanding the challenges they face enables us to develop practical interventions that strengthen service delivery and improve the lives of our people,” he noted.
Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a responsive, accountable, and results-oriented public service. She emphasized that district leaders and public servants remain key partners in Uganda’s development journey and must be supported to perform their duties effectively.
She called upon public officers to uphold integrity, transparency, and professionalism, stressing that citizens expect quality services from government institutions. She further noted that efficient public service delivery is essential for achieving sustainable development and ensuring that government programs reach their intended beneficiaries.
During the interactive session, leaders from Bugisu, Sebei, and Bukedi highlighted a number of challenges affecting service delivery, including staffing gaps, inadequate facilitation, limited operational resources, infrastructure constraints, and increasing pressure on public services due to population growth.
The leaders appealed for continued support from the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service in addressing recruitment bottlenecks, improving staff welfare, and strengthening institutional capacity to meet the growing needs of communities.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to assess the performance of local government structures and explore ways of enhancing collaboration between political leaders, technical officers, and central government agencies.
As Uganda advances its socio-economic transformation agenda, leaders agreed that strengthening the public service remains central to improving governance, enhancing accountability, and delivering better outcomes for citizens across the country.
