The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema, has called for stronger coordination among government institutions in order to effectively address the pressing socio-economic needs of Uganda’s youthful population.
Speaking on Tuesday at SHIPU headquarters in Kampala during a follow-up meeting with leaders of government agencies, Nakalema emphasized that the country’s demographic structure demands a united public sector approach if government is to meaningfully respond to emerging challenges.
“In charting a way forward, we are cognizant of our demographic landscape which is tilted towards the youthful population. Therefore, our united front as public sector agencies is not just a show off. Working together as government institutions is now more than necessary to tackle the emerging social service needs of the younger generation,” she said
Nakalema explained that the meeting was convened to align strategies and agree on concrete steps leaders should take to get citizens to appreciate the collective work of government institutions.
“The purpose of this particular convening is therefore to align our strategies on how to engage with the citizenry on the gains in our respective mandates,” she said.
“This is what makes our collective loyalty to effective service delivery indispensable in steering a whole-of-government approach to addressing the felt needs of citizens.”
She thanked the officials for their commitment and enthusiasm, noting that the collaborative initiative holds the potential to reshape the outlook of public service delivery in Uganda.
thanked the distinguished leaders for their commitment to the initiative and noted their enthusiasm to deliver positive results across their individual mandates, highlighting the importance of considering the youthful demographic landscape.
“Accordingly, I do not see this as just an ad hoc initiative. I’m convinced that your zeal in coming together and the ideas you bring to the table are loaded with power to reshape the outlook of public service in this country. This is the goodwill and intellectual direction that we must leverage in service to our nation and the generations that will come after us,” she said.
Other leaders at the meeting echoed similar calls for stronger collaboration, emphasizing the importance of communication, community engagement, and accountability in government service delivery.
The Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Barirega Akankwasa, said the initiative provides a platform for agency heads to conceptualize transformative ideas.
“If you are a CEO and you cannot influence an idea in your LC 1 then there’s a problem,” he observed, urging leaders to maximize their spheres of influence.
Makerere University College of Health Sciences Principal, Bruce Kirenga, encouraged leaders to implement strategies swiftly in order to achieve their goals. He emphasized implementing activities that showcase government gains and using media and social media to communicate key achievements, advising a focus on highlights rather than lengthy reports.
Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Mercy Kainobwisho, suggested a sector-based achievement strategy to highlight government contributions. She also underscored the importance of simplifying official communication to make it more relatable to communities.
The Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), Ezra Muhumuza, highlighted the civic obligation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to give feedback on manifesto implementation progress. He proposed the use of “earned value analysis” as a practical tool to track and communicate growth.
National Housing and Construction Company Uganda (NHCC-UG) CEO, Kenneth Kaijuka, urged leaders to focus on effective packaging of information for maximum impact.
“We need to have command in that field of packaging,” he said.
Uganda Development Forum Executive Director, Edward Katende, noted that government’s 10-fold growth strategy should be clearly explained to citizens, particularly how it will transition them into the money economy.
The Director of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC), Marcella Karekye, cautioned leaders against sharing unnecessary information that could undermine government efforts. She recommended regional tours as a way of engaging communities directly and showcasing achievements on the ground.