Secretary in the Office of the President Hajji Yunus Kakande has called on public administrators to accept transfers as a normal part of their service. On September 8, 2026, he opened the sixth Administrative Officers' Forum at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City. The forum brought together undersecretaries, principal assistant secretaries, senior assistant secretaries, assistant secretaries, personal assistants, and hospital administrators from across Uganda.
Kakande's remarks came as some administrators had complained about being transferred but were reluctant to report to their new duty stations. He said some officers had grown accustomed to their positions and were resisting relocation despite the requirements of public service. Kakande emphasized that public servants should be ready to serve wherever government deploys them, in accordance with the law.
The four-day forum was held under the theme "Awake for Service: Professional Public Administration for Integrity, Accountability and National Transformation." Kakande encouraged administrators to view transfers as opportunities to gain experience in different working environments. He said this exposure could help build a pool of administrators with the experience required to take on senior leadership responsibilities.
According to Kakande, public administrators need to understand government as a system rather than restricting their knowledge to their immediate offices or departments. He encouraged administrators to read widely, consult experienced colleagues, participate in professional discussions, and continuously update themselves on laws, policies, regulations, government programs, and reforms.
Kakande challenged members of the Administrative Cadre to demonstrate their value through competence, responsiveness, and measurable results. He said career progression would no longer be guaranteed by tenure but earned through merit. Kakande also urged senior administrators to mentor junior officers and prepare them to take on leadership responsibilities in the future.
Kakande called for high standards of integrity, discipline, and accountability among public administrators, noting that they handle public resources, official information, procurement processes, human-resource matters, and government records. He warned against corruption and indiscipline and encouraged public servants to live within their legitimate means.
The Office of the President Secretary also addressed concerns about remuneration within the public administration fraternity. He said his office was engaging relevant authorities on possible improvements in salaries and conditions of service for administrators. Kakande encouraged public administrators to pursue further education to strengthen their professional competencies and improve their competitiveness for senior positions.
Key points
- Public servants should be ready to serve wherever government deploys them.
- Career progression will be based on merit, not tenure.
- Public administrators must demonstrate integrity, discipline, and accountability.
