“CORRUPTION GOES BEYOND STEALING MONEY”- NAKYOBE CAUTIONS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe has warned Administrative Officers against corruption, abuse of office and conduct that undermines public service delivery, saying the government needs professionals who can be trusted with public resources and sensitive processes.

Ms. Nakyobe said corruption should not only be understood as the theft of public funds, but also includes favouritism, conflicts of interest, deliberate delays, abuse of authority, manipulation of procedures and interference in recruitment and procurement processes.

“Corruption goes beyond stealing money. When you come late, favouritism, conflict of interest and failure to enforce established procedures are all forms of corruption threatening service delivery,” Ms. Nakyobe said.

She made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during the ongoing 6th Administrative Officers’ Forum at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City.

The four-day forum is being held under the theme: “Awake for Service: Professional Public Administration for Integrity, Accountability and National Transformation.”

Ms. Nakyobe said Administrative Officers occupy a critical position in Government because they influence administrative processes, manage information and support the implementation of Government decisions.

“Public Service needs people who can be trusted. When public resources are put under your custody, you should be able to protect them,” she said.

She urged officers to strengthen internal controls, maintain proper records, follow due process and ensure that Government decisions are implemented transparently and accountably.

“Administration is the engine room of the Government. I assure you the Government cannot function without good administrators. When administration is weak, the entire institution is weak and vice versa,” she said.

Ms. Nakyobe also challenged Administrative Officers to continuously improve their professional competencies, innovate and adapt to changes in the Public Service if they are to remain relevant and competitive.

“Improve, innovate and adapt. Once in a while go back to school and learn something new,” she said.

She described the Administrative Cadre as historically one of the strongest and most respected cadres in the Public Service because of its discipline, versatility, professional knowledge and leadership.

However, she cautioned officers against allowing administration to become overly focused on routine procedures at the expense of institutional performance and measurable results.

According to Ms. Nakyobe, Administrative Officers must develop a broad understanding of Government systems, including planning, budgeting, public financial management, procurement, human resource management, performance management, records and information management, Government reforms, policy implementation, accountability systems and the legal and regulatory framework governing the Public Service.

“You cannot effectively coordinate what you do not understand. You cannot effectively supervise work that you do not understand. And you cannot provide credible administrative advice if your knowledge of Government systems is superficial,” she said.

She urged officers to make continuous professional development a personal responsibility, saying competence is ultimately demonstrated through knowledge, sound judgement, problem-solving ability and results.

Transfers are not punishment:

Ms. Nakyobe also defended the Government’s policy of transferring officers within common cadres, warning employees against resisting transfers.

She said transfers are provided for under the Public Service Standing Orders and are not a creation of either herself or President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

“Transfers are not a creation of Nakyobe or His Excellency the President. It is a creation of the Public Service Standing Orders. There has been laxity in the implementation. We are now waking up,” she said.

Ms. Nakyobe stressed that transfers are not punitive measures but an important tool of public service management aimed at promoting professional exposure, experience-sharing, institutional renewal and career development.

“Transfer is not a punishment but a requirement in Government and nothing is going to stop it from happening. If you refuse to move, it’s indiscipline and we are going to take disciplinary measures against you,” she warned.

She nevertheless cautioned responsible officers against using transfers to victimise employees, saying the policy must be implemented fairly and in accordance with the Public Service Standing Orders.

Ms. Nakyobe said prolonged stay in one institution or position can create risks, including situations where an individual officer becomes the sole custodian of critical Government processes.

“No public officer should become the undisputed master of a particular Government process simply because they have remained in one place for many years,” she said.

She added that Government business must never become dependent on one individual and pledged to uphold transfers within common cadres in the interest of an efficient, professional and accountable Public Service.

On the other hand, Ms. Nakyobe further urged Administrative Officers to maintain a professional relationship with political leaders while avoiding conduct that compromises their public duties.

“You must remain professional. You shouldn’t involve yourself in activities that compromise your public duty,” she said.

She said hard work, integrity, humility and commitment were essential qualities for public servants seeking to build successful careers.

“Hard work builds confidence, creates opportunities and earns the trust of your seniors and colleagues. I call upon all of you to be professional,” she said.

PAAU gets new leadership:

The outgoing Chairperson of the Public Administrators Association of Uganda (PAAU), Dr. Freddie Mugunga, informed Ms. Nakyobe that the association had elected new leadership headed by Ms. Catherine Nassuna, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Dr. Mugunga also revealed that Administrative Officers had adopted by-laws for their social welfare fund and elected an executive committee to manage the initiative.

“Madam, we are also grateful for spearheading our salary enhancement,” Dr. Mugunga said.

Meanwhile, Jonam County MP,Hon. Marshall Alenyo, who sits on the Parliamentary Budget Committee, emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability among public servants.

Hon. Alenyo assured Administrative Officers that he would advocate for improved remuneration should the matter come before the Parliamentary Budget Committee.

The forum brought together Administrative Officers to deliberate on professionalism, integrity, accountability, institutional performance and the role of public administration in national transformation.