GULU, Uganda — The Secretary, Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has urged government Administrative Officers to embrace ongoing transfers, saying the changes were directed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and should be implemented in the interest of effective public service delivery.
Hajji Kakande said public servants should not resist transfers or question why some of their colleagues are retained in their current positions, explaining that government may keep particular officers in strategic positions because of their experience, competence and unique capabilities.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while officiating at the opening of the four-day 6th Administrative Officers’ Forum 2026 at Bomah Hotel Limited in Gulu City.
The forum, held under the theme “Awake for Service: Professional Public Administration for Integrity, Accountability and National Transformation,” has brought together Undersecretaries, Principal Assistant Secretaries, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and hospital administrators from central government institutions.
Hajji Kakande described transfers as a normal part of public administration and urged officers to remain flexible and professional whenever they are assigned new responsibilities or posted to different parts of the country.
“I wonder why some of you don’t want to be transferred. How could you ask why are you transferring me and leaving the other one around? Actually, it was the President’s directive, which shouldn’t be turned down,” he said.
He reminded the officers that public servants are required by law to serve wherever they are deployed.
“In accordance with the law, you are required to serve in any part of the country. Now why are you refusing? Try to be flexible and professional,” he said.
Hajji Kakande, who said he has served in the Office of the President for about 40 years, explained that his long tenure was not a result of personal preference but decisions by his superiors who considered his continued service necessary.
“I have been in the Office of the President for 40 years. It has not been my own making; it is because someone found it prudent that I stay,” he said.
He cautioned officers against writing anonymous complaints against colleagues in an attempt to have them transferred, urging them instead to concentrate on their responsibilities.
According to Kakande, some officers are retained because of institutional knowledge and abilities that may be difficult to replace.
“There are some officers I have myself and I may defend them. I did not transfer them because I know that if I transferred them, it may not work,” he said.
Hajji Kakande also challenged Administrative Officers to develop a broad understanding of government operations rather than limiting their knowledge to their immediate assignments.
He said effective administrators must understand how government works as a system and be able to appreciate government business beyond their individual desks.
He encouraged officers to pursue continuous professional development through reading, consultation, professional discussions and learning from experienced colleagues.
“Read widely, consult, ask questions, participate in professional discussions and learn from experienced colleagues,” he said.
Kakande further urged administrators to keep abreast of laws, policies, regulations, procedures, government programmes and reforms affecting their work.
“The Public Service is changing, and the administrator who does not continue learning will inevitably find it increasingly difficult to remain effective,” he warned.
On career progression, Kakande said administrators should not expect promotions simply because they have served for a long time.
He said the opening of the Undersecretary position to officers from other cadres was a significant change that requires members of the Administrative Cadre to demonstrate their value through competence and measurable results.
“Business can no longer continue as usual; you must actively prove your value through exceptional competence, quick responsiveness and measurable results,” he said.
He urged officers to regularly assess the value they add to their institutions, the skills they are acquiring and their readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
“Career progression is no longer guaranteed by tenure, but earned through merit,” Kakande said.
He also challenged senior administrators to mentor and prepare junior officers for leadership, saying the strength of the Administrative Cadre depends on how effectively senior officers transfer knowledge and develop their successors.
“Occupying a senior position is not the final goal. True leadership is measured by the capable successors you build,” he said.
Kakande emphasised the importance of integrity, discipline and accountability among public administrators, noting that they handle public resources, official information, procurement processes, human resource responsibilities and government records.
He urged officers to maintain impartiality, confidentiality, fairness and accountability while following established procedures.
“Your conduct must demonstrate that public service is a trust and not a personal entitlement,” he said.
He warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated in the Public Service and urged administrators to observe working hours, avoid unauthorised absenteeism, follow lawful instructions, protect government property and maintain professional relationships with colleagues.
Kakande also cautioned officers against corruption and encouraged them to manage their personal finances responsibly.
“Public service is not a path to sudden wealth. Live within your legitimate means,” he said.
He said public servants could invest in lawful businesses to supplement their salaries, provided such activities comply with the law and do not interfere with their official duties.
Hajji Kakande also reaffirmed that hospital administrators are part of the wider public administration system and perform responsibilities similar to those of other government administrators.
He called for greater organisation among members of the cadre and stakeholders to develop a clearly articulated scheme of service to guide career development and professionalisation.
On remuneration, Kakande said the Office of the President was continuing to engage relevant authorities on improving salaries and conditions of service for administrators.
He also encouraged administrators to take advantage of Uganda’s expanding access to education by pursuing master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and other relevant qualifications to improve their competitiveness for senior positions.
The outgoing Chairperson of the Public Administrators Association of Uganda (PAAU), Dr. Freddie Mugunga, said the forum’s theme was timely and aligned with President Museveni’s message of “Kisanja No More Sleep, Kisanja No Corruption.”
Dr. Mugunga commended Kakande for supporting professional development and creating opportunities for administrators to meet, share experiences and discuss challenges affecting the cadre.
“On behalf of the association, we thank you Hajji for always supporting us. We really needed to be gathering as members of the forum and you supported it wholeheartedly,” Mugunga said.
He also acknowledged that the ongoing transfers had created anxiety among some administrators but urged them to remain united and focused on public service.
“Ever since the issue of transfers came into place, there’s been a frenzy and anxiety among the administrators. We shouldn’t be enemies of ourselves. Not every person will be promoted,” he said.
Mugunga stressed that government officers may be required to serve in different ministries or parts of the country depending on the needs of government.
He also raised concerns about reports of some ministers declining to work with Personal Assistants deployed from the Public Service, urging senior officials to support and guide the officers so they can effectively perform their duties.
The four-day forum is expected to provide a platform for Administrative Officers to share experiences, strengthen professional standards and reflect on the role of public administration in promoting integrity, accountability and national transformation.
