GOVERNMENT CHIEF WHIP EMPHASISES INTEGRITY AS STATE HOUSE STAFF COMPLETE INDUCTION TRAINING

The Government Chief Whip, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, has challenged
State House staff to uphold integrity, patriotism and selfless service
as they implement government programmes aimed at transforming
the livelihoods of Ugandans.

Dr. Aceng made the remarks on Friday 26 th June, 2026 while
officiating at the pass-out ceremony of State House staff who
successfully completed a five-day leadership transformation and
ideological orientation course at the Oliver Reginald Tambo
Leadership School and Pan African Centre of Excellence in
Kaweweta. The induction, which commenced on June 22, 2026,
concluded on June 26, 2026.

The graduates comprised Presidential Industrial Hub managers,
Presidential Demonstration Farm managers and Finance Officers
responsible for overseeing the Presidential Industrial Hubs
Programme and the SACCOs established to support beneficiaries
across the country.

Dr. Aceng commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his
foresight in promoting vocational skills development, saying his
vision has enabled thousands of Ugandans to acquire practical
skills, create wealth and improve household incomes.

“Long before many appreciated the value of vocational education,
the President recognized that sustainable development depends on
a skilled population capable of producing, adding value and creating
wealth,” she said.

She noted that communities such as Kiruhura have already
demonstrated how practical skills can transform lives, with many
families moving from subsistence living to wealth creation despite
limited formal education.

“The greatest asset of any nation is its people. When citizens
possess practical skills, discipline and a strong work ethic, they
become drivers of national development,” Dr. Aceng emphasized.
She urged the graduates to become ambassadors of the National
Resistance Movement (NRM) ideology by putting into practice the
values and knowledge acquired during the training.

“Go back and inspire transformation in your communities. Let your
leadership produce lasting results and let your integrity remain
unquestionable,” she told the graduates.

Speaking on behalf of the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane
Barekye, the Director Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at
State House, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, reminded participants that
integrity remains the foundation of successful public service.

“We may provide all the knowledge and skills, but without integrity,
we shall not succeed,” Eng. Kamugisha said.

He observed that Uganda continues to face enormous
unemployment challenges, with more than three million Ugandans
requiring skills and employment opportunities, while the current
capacity of State House programmes can only train about 20,000
beneficiaries annually.

“At this rate, it would take approximately 150 years to meet the
current demand. This is an emergency that requires commitment,
patriotism and collective action from every Ugandan,” he said.

Eng. Kamugisha revealed that State House is in the final stages of
launching a nationwide campaign dubbed Skill One Ugandan
aimed at encouraging every privileged Ugandan to empower at
least one less privileged person with a practical skill each year.

“The government alone cannot eliminate unemployment. Every
privileged Ugandan has a role to play. Whether you are a civil
servant, businessperson, manufacturer, employee of a corporate
company or a professional, we are calling upon you to skill at least
one less privileged Ugandan every year.

If each one of us empowers just one person with a practical skill, together we shall dramatically reduce unemployment, create wealth and transform
our nation.”

He said the initiative will complement government programmes by
mobilising individuals, private companies and institutions to actively
participate in empowering vulnerable youth with employable skills.

Eng. Kamugisha further revealed that the government has allocated
Shs8.8 billion to support graduates through 176 SACCOs
coordinated at the regional level. He said initiatives such as value
addition, import substitution and Presidential Demonstration Farms
are expected to accelerate wealth creation and local economic
development.

The week-long course equipped participants with knowledge in
leadership, patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Uganda political history,
economic transformation, discipline and mindset change.
Participants also received lectures from officials drawn from the
Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Trade, Public Service and the
Presidency, as well as the Parish Development Model Secretariat
and financial institutions.

Four participants were recognised for their outstanding performance
during the training. Hamid Isabirye emerged as the overall best
trainee, while Violah Namanda, Daniel Koojo and Ritah Katusiime
were also honoured for their exceptional performance.

Meanwhile, the Commandant of the Oliver Reginald Tambo
Leadership School and Pan African Centre of Excellence, Brig.
Gen. Justus Rukundo, appealed to the government to fulfil the
pledge of Shs4 billion for infrastructure development at the
institution.

Brig. Gen. Rukundo said the funds would facilitate the construction
of a modern learning auditorium and senior officer dormitories, in
addition to completing an ongoing 20-room guest house.

He also commended the Office of the National Political Commissar
and the Joint Staff Civil Engineering Department for supporting
ongoing infrastructure projects through locally generated resources.