Ministry Of Defence And Veteran Affairs Commemorates African Public Service Day With Notable Participation
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) joined fellow government institutions on Monday in commemorating the 14th African Public Service Day at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The event, themed “Enhancing the Agility and Resilience of Institutions to Achieve Equitable Governance and Rapidly Address Historical Service Delivery Gaps”, featured exhibitions and sporting activities aimed at honouring public service excellence.
Representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja praised public servants for their unwavering commitment and lauded the Ministry of Public Service for organising the occasion.
She expressed gratitude to public servants for their engagement, congratulating them on the milestone. In a special mention, she commended the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for playing a critical role in national stability. “By 1986, the pillars of the state had collapsed. There was no effective army, no police, and public service was dysfunctional,” Nabbanja said.
“Today, we owe our strong public institutions to the presence of a patriotic army that guarantees security and stability.”
She emphasised that peace is the cornerstone of effective service delivery, asserting, “All government efforts must focus on preserving peace and stability.”
Addressing corruption, the Prime Minister called for integrity in public service. “Corruption slows down our development. Those who fought for Uganda’s liberation will not tolerate it,” she warned. “Uganda’s progress is now unstoppable.”
Hon. Muruli Mukasa, Minister of Public Service, said the day was a time for reflection and renewed commitment. He noted significant improvements in service delivery, particularly through automation, which had enhanced efficiency and transparency.
He also highlighted progress in supporting marginalised groups such as women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. “What remains is to ensure the benefits reach the grassroots and no one is left behind,” he added.
Deputy Head of Public Service Jane Mwesiga spotlighted the One Stop Centre model, currently operational in Hoima, Kasese, and at the Ministry headquarters. The model, she explained, is aimed at improving access to services and reducing costs.
By addressing key delivery challenges, she said, the government seeks to build “a lean, cost-effective, and efficient public service that drives rapid socio-economic transformation for our citizens.”
Speaking on behalf of MODVA’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Harriet Kyomugisha, Assistant Commissioner for Human Resource Management, urged public servants to deliver timely and quality services.
She addressed common public misconceptions, saying, “People have a wrong perception that public servants don’t put in effort into anything.”
She also described the ministry’s participation in the event as strategic, noting: “Today, we have exhibited several things that we as MODVA and UPDF do, as we join other public entities to celebrate this day.”
The ceremony attracted a host of senior government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, and agency representatives, all uniting to celebrate the value and impact of public service in Uganda.
