The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has condemned recent remarks by ministers that called on civil servants to support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or resign from their positions.
In a statement by UPC spokesperson Sharon Arach Oyat, the party criticised the comments made by the Minister of State for Microfinance,Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, and the Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba, during a training event in Kyankwanzi District.
The two ministers reportedly urged over 160 Microfinance Support Center staff at the National Leadership Institute to back the NRM and President Museveni, claiming it was essential to the implementation of the NRM Manifesto.
However, UPC has called the statements a violation of Uganda’s public service regulations.
“These statements are against the standing orders of public service and have no legal effect,”said Oyat.
“UPC condemns the tendency of threatening and intimidating civil servants. There must be a clear distinction between serving the government and engaging in active campaigns for a political party.”
She cited the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which prohibits public officers, including police and military personnel, from participating in partisan politics unless they resign first.
Oyat further emphasised the importance of professional civil servants in implementing government programs without political bias.
She also referenced the party’s founding leader, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, stressing the need for cooperation between politicians and civil servants.
Oyat called for a focus on non-partisan execution of government policies to avoid politicizing service delivery, especially ahead of election cycles.
“Civil servants are the engine that drives government programs and policies from the village level to the national level,” she stated.
The party called for greater support for civil servants, who, it argued, should not be coerced into political allegiance but allowed to perform their duties in line with established laws and regulations.