President Yoweri Museveni has urged public officials to avoid negative and impulsive behaviour in order to enhance their longevity and achieve their fullest capabilities, benefiting both themselves and their nation.
President Museveni also emphasized the importance of a stable and effective public service that prioritizes the well-being of the people.
To achieve this, he urged members of the public service to refrain from engaging in what he termed harmful and reckless behaviour such as alcoholism and sexual promiscuity.
This he says will help them to avoid impairing their abilities and wasting their potential.
This was in a speech delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at the event where public servants from Uganda joined their counterparts from various African nations to commemorate the Africa Continental Public Service Day at Kololo ceremonial grounds.
Museveni further advised public officers to prioritize their physical well-being by striving to maintain fitness and lead a healthy lifestyle.
By doing so, they would be better equipped to serve the interests of the public effectively. This call to action aimed to promote integrity and ensure that public servants remain focused on serving the public’s best interest.
In addition to emphasizing the importance of wellness, President Museveni urged public servants to refrain from favouring foreigners or pursuing selfish interests while carrying out their duties.
Instead, he emphasized the significance of prioritizing the interests of the people and the communities they serve.
Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa added to the call by emphasizing the importance of establishing effective channels of communication between the civil service and the people they serve.
He highlighted that in order to achieve this objective, the public service should utilize available tools, including the media.
According to Mukasa, unless services are properly communicated and explained to the public, many may fail to benefit from them, rendering the efforts of the public servants futile.
The minister reminded the civil servants that the government is striving to enhance their well-being, including aspects like salaries, housing, and other benefits.
The minister’s statement drew significant attention among the attendees, with many expressing scepticism and rejecting the remark.
“We’ve heard this before. It’s nothing but an empty promise,” remarked one of the officers, eliciting laughter from those seated nearby. Nevertheless, the minister persisted in urging the officers to maintain their patience.
As part of the commemoration of the day dedicated to acknowledging the significance and integrity of public service to the community, public servants from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies organized an exhibition showcasing their respective activities and service.
However, it was noteworthy that the event did not attract members of the public, and the exhibition stalls were primarily inspected by fellow public officers.