Uganda is to host the 43rd African Association of Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) Round Table Conference and Annual General Meeting.

The meeting which is slated between November 26-29, 2024 will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Over 700 delegates across Africa have confirmed their participation.

The conference will be Uganda’s 3^rd time hosting the occasion, the first which was the 20th conference took place in 1998 while the 2^nd which 38^th conference took place in 2018. It brings together Africa’s public administration leaders to deliberate on advancements in the sector.

The conference under the theme “Agile and Resilient Public Administration Framework for Sustainable Development in Africa”. The aim is to drive discussions on strengthening governance systems across Africa to address the continent’s pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Muruli Mukasa, the Minister for Public Service, noted that the meeting is timely as Uganda undergoes public service restructuring under the rationalization of agencies. The country plans to draw valuable insights from states that have undertaken similar transformations.

 “Nowadays, people require instant responses because that’s what the world demands. The public service should also adopt this agility to meet contemporary needs while upholding the principles of the service. Unlike the old-fashioned style, where communication could take an entire month for approvals, things have changed,” he stated.

According to Mukasa, the gathering positions Uganda as a top destination for international conferences, with accompanying economic and cultural benefits, including increased tourism, investment opportunities, and a chance to showcase Uganda’s cultural heritage. “With partnerships across government ministries, UN bodies, international institutes, and corporations like Kenya Airways, the conference is also an opportunity to boost Uganda’s global visibility. Steps have been taken to facilitate delegate participation, including streamlined visa processing and safety measures for all attendees,” he added.

Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet said that the conference would reinforce Uganda’s role as a leader in public administration, showcasing its capacity to host high-calibre international forums that promote sustainable development.

It will also emphasize policy recommendations on technology integration, effective leadership, and efficient service delivery, proposing governance solutions for sustainable and inclusive growth and promoting enhanced collaboration and partnership opportunities, especially for local businesses and professionals.

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The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, has directed district officials to monitor the use of government-issued agricultural mechanization equipment and ensure that it serves its intended purpose of boosting food production and productivity.

The government through the Ministry of Agriculture has been distributing tractors and other agricultural tools to farmers, farmer groups, and institutions to support large-scale production.

However, concerns have arisen regarding the misuse or underuse of these resources.

“It has come to our attention that there are cases of misuse and underuse of agricultural mechanization facilities,” Tumwebaze noted in the letter.

“Some beneficiaries have turned them into private businesses for hire, while others have monopolized their use, leaving them idle instead of supporting those in need.”

To address this issue, Tumwebaze clarified that these tractors are distributed based on demand and are strictly for agricultural purposes. The equipment remains government property and misuse could lead to its withdrawal and redistribution.

“We provide tractors where there is effective demand and not for hire,” Tumwebaze emphasized.

He added, “Before an individual, group or institution is recommended, there is a need to establish that the entity deserves. When equipment is underutilized or misused, the Ministry retains the right to withdraw and reallocate it to deserving farmers.”

The ministry also announced plans to deploy auditors to evaluate the performance of the distributed equipment, including tractors, milk coolers, and maize mills. This assessment will help refine future beneficiary selection and ensure accountability.

“I write, therefore, to ask you to monitor and look out for how tractors or other agricultural value chain equipment/technologies are being used by the beneficiaries,” the minister instructed.

He added, “Where a group is unable to utilize the equipment or is using it for purposes other than agricultural, please inform us to allow for repossession and reallocation.”

Tumwebaze also appealed to district leaders to cooperate with the audit teams and facilitate their efforts.

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President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern directive to Regional Police Commanders (RPCs), prohibiting the granting of police bonds to individuals accused of embezzling funds for the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programs.

Addressing the leaders of the Teso sub region at Kumi Municipal Grounds yesterday, Museveni emphasized the importance of safeguarding funds meant to uplift Uganda’s village economies.

This was during the second day of the ongoing Presidential wealth creation assessment tour in the Teso Sub-region which commenced on Monday, November 18, 2024.

“I have received reports from ISO about individuals stealing PDM money. Some were arrested but given police bonds,” the President stated.

“I now direct the RPCs, no more police bonds for anyone who has stolen PDM or Emyooga money. If you give a police bond, I will ‘bond’ you myself.”

President Museveni also warned that such leniency undermines efforts to defend the village economy and vowed to engage the Chief Justice to put an end to these practices.

“This money is for transforming communities. If someone steals it, refunding alone is not enough, you must refund and also go to jail. Was it given to you as a gift?” he asked rhetorically.

“PDM and Emyooga funds are critical to Uganda’s development and must be protected at all costs. No one should play games with this money. We are transforming lives, and we won’t allow anyone to derail that mission,” he also noted.

The President also criticised the practice of deducting bank charges from PDM funds before they reach beneficiaries.

“I demand that the Ministry of Finance covers all bank charges. Recipients must receive their full amount, no deductions, no additions,” he declared.

On the other hand, President Museveni reiterated the need to change societal attitudes, which he referred to as “the problem of sleep.”

Drawing from his own experiences, he recounted how exposure to global history in the 1960s inspired him to challenge the belief that Africa’s challenges were insurmountable.

“The problem of Africa is sleep. It’s amazing how people can be so unaware of their potential. In the 1960s, some people told me that Banyankole could never change,” he remarked.

“I disagreed, my own mother, who was a traditional woman, changed after joining Christianity. She learned to boil milk, iron clothes, and knit. If she could change, why can’t we?” he inquired.

President Museveni also addressed environmental conservation and sustainable development, particularly the misuse of wetlands for rice farming.

He called for a shift towards fish farming as an alternative that benefits both the environment and the economy.

“I visited Limoto Wetland Restoration Center in Pallisa and found that when people stopped growing rice in the swamp and adopted fish farming, their income grew significantly. One family now earns Sh62 million annually from fishponds, compared to Sh1 million from rice farming,” President Museveni said.

He explained that fishponds located at the edges of wetlands not only protect the environment but also provide a sustainable source of income.

“This approach restores the swamp, secures water for irrigation, and helps families get out of poverty,” he added.

The President expressed satisfaction with the impact of PDM in many parts of Uganda, noting that the initiative has enabled people to invest in livestock, poultry, and other income-generating activities.

President Museveni assured the public of continued support for PDM, with Sh100 million allocated annually per parish.

Additionally, he revealed plans to use centres like Serere to breed animals and multiply foundation seeds through zonal centres to further boost agricultural productivity.

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