Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has called on Administrative Officers to reposition themselves strategically and professionally to remain relevant in a rapidly changing public service environment.
“The landscape of public service is shifting rapidly. You must stay ahead through lifelong learning, commitment to duty and a proactive approach to emerging challenges. I implore you to build on what you have learned during this retreat and return to your stations with fresh minds, informed and ready to lead,” Kakande said.
He made the remarks on Friday, August 29, 2025, while closing the four-day 5th Administrative Officers’ Forum at Mbale Resort Hotel. The forum, held under the theme “Fostering Public Confidence through Transparent and Accountable Governance,” brought together undersecretaries, principal assistant secretaries, senior assistant secretaries, and assistant secretaries from central government.
Kakande urged senior administrators to mentor their teams for effective service delivery. “No officer should be left behind. Let this retreat mark the beginning of renewed professional networks, peer learning, and shared accountability across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” he said.
He further tasked officers to actively engage in the implementation of the National Development Plan IV, stressing that administrators must acquire a broad understanding of government processes. “The relevance and strength of an Administrative Officer lies in the ability to fully understand, coordinate, and provide strategic guidance across all functions of government,” he noted.
Kakande commended Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, for her contribution to strengthening the administrative cadre. “Her presence and insights during this Forum provided invaluable guidance, which I trust will continue to inspire and shape your professional journey,” he said.
He assured the officers that his commitment remains steadfast. “I want to leave behind a stronger, more resilient, and more respected Cadre, one that continues to uphold the values we stand for,” said Kakande, who has served in government for over 40 years.
He also reminded the officers that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM government have been central in empowering administrators through better remuneration. He encouraged them to mobilize support for the President in the 2026 elections. “We should vote H.E again so that he can consolidate the gains of the NRM,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Public Administrators Association of Uganda, Dr. Freddie Emmanuel Mugunga, hailed the Office of the President for organizing the forum. “We also thank the accounting officers of the respective ministries for facilitating the participants to take part in the forum,” he said.
Earlier, Ambassador David Etuket presented a paper on diplomacy and state protocol, emphasizing national security as central to international relations. “Diplomacy is an art or skill for conducting international relations, and the purpose is to build relations, diplomatic negotiations, and communications,” he explained.
The forum concluded with calls for professionalism, accountability, and stronger networks to strengthen public service delivery.
