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.
Kakande said officers 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 or 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,” brought together Undersecretaries, Principal Assistant Secretaries, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and hospital administrators from central government institutions.
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.
Kakande, who said he has served in the Office of the President for about 40 years, explained that his long tenure was not based on 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 also cautioned officers against writing anonymous complaints against colleagues in an attempt to have them transferred.
Kakande said some officers are retained because their institutional knowledge and experience 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.
Officers Urged To Broaden Their Knowledge
Kakande challenged Administrative Officers to develop a broad understanding of government operations rather than limiting themselves to their immediate assignments.
“The effective Administrative Officer must understand how the Government works as a system. An Administrative Officer should therefore not be knowledgeable only about his or her immediate desk or assignment. You must understand Government business beyond your immediate responsibilities,” he said.
He urged 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 also tasked administrators with keeping 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.
Career Progression Must Be Based On Merit
Kakande said the opening of the Undersecretary position to officers from other cadres represents a significant shift 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 challenged 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 urged senior administrators to mentor and prepare junior officers for leadership, saying the strength of the cadre depends on how effectively senior officers transfer knowledge and develop successors.
“Occupying a senior position is not the final goal. True leadership is measured by the capable successors you build,” he said.
He called on Undersecretaries to mentor, coach and delegate responsibilities to junior administrators while exposing them to different areas of government operations.
Integrity, Discipline And Accountability
Kakande emphasised the need for high standards of integrity 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 officers to observe working hours, avoid unauthorised absenteeism, follow lawful instructions, protect government property and maintain professional relationships with colleagues.
Kakande also cautioned administrators 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 added that officers could invest in lawful businesses to supplement their salaries, provided such activities comply with the law and do not conflict with their official duties.
Hospital Administrators Included In Public Administration
Kakande 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.
“We recently met the President. Now the salaries were increased and the retiring Permanent Secretary also got a fair deal of Shs10 million per month. The Principals’ salary was also increased and the Senior Assistant, you are also coming in,” he said.
He 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.
PAAU Commends Kakande
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.”
Mugunga commended Kakande for supporting professional development and creating opportunities for administrators to meet, share experiences and address 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 thanked Kakande for mentoring administrators and supporting them during difficult periods.
Mugunga acknowledged that the ongoing transfers had generated 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.
He stressed that officers may be required to serve in different ministries or parts of the country in the interest of government business.
“Some protest, but we remain steadfast,” he said.
Mugunga 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.
