Leadership Is A Responsibility, Not A Position, Says Hon Oboth-Oboth
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, has urged leaders in the public sector to embrace leadership as a responsibility rooted in character and integrity, rather than a mere position of authority.
While delivering a lecture on “Leadership and Strategic Management in the Public Sector” to participants of Intake 3 at the National Defence College–Uganda (NDC-U), Hon. Oboth emphasised that effective leadership must be grounded in discipline, values, skills, influence, and self-regulation. “Some of you will be deployed in sensitive positions after this course,” said Hon. Oboth. “Employ these attributes with self-regulation so that your decisions can make a positive impact for Uganda to shine.”
He stressed that leadership in public service requires a different approach from command roles, urging participants to bridge that gap. “This course has shaped you to think beyond the barracks and to understand how to lead in broader national and international spheres. The UPDF is not just a defender of the nation but an architect of peace and security,” he said.
Hon. Oboth highlighted the importance of leading by example. “Your subordinates should see your good values, that’s how you become a true influencer,” he added.
He underscored the qualities of trustworthiness, character, critical thinking, and patriotism as essential to leadership, calling on the course participants to uphold the values instilled at the college.
He further encouraged consensus-building, compromise, patience, humility, vision, and institutional development as tools to propel Uganda forward.
Hon Oboth cautioned them against corruption and sectarianism, warning that such tendencies undermine national development and public trust.
Present were: Maj Gen Francis Okello, Commandant of NDC-U; Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, Dean of Studies; Brig Gen David Tweheyo, College Secretary; Brig Gen Dr Stephen Kusasira, Head of Faculty for Policy and Strategic Studies; Prof. Murindwa Rutanga, Head of Faculty for Postgraduate Studies; Brig Gen Emmanuel Kazahura, Senior Directing Staff (Air); Col Ephraim Mugume, Senior Directing Staff (Army); and other departmental heads from NDC-U.
