President Yoweri Museveni has issued several directives aimed at improving governance and service delivery in Uganda. However, there have been concerns about the lack of adherence to these directives by some civil servants. Notable directives include:
1. Zero Tolerance to Corruption: The President has emphasized that civil servants should neither solicit nor accept bribes, especially from investors, to foster economic growth and attract investment.
2. Strict Adherence to Duty: Civil servants, particularly in the health sector, are expected to dedicate their working hours to public service and avoid engaging in private practice during official hours. Neglecting public duties in favor of private work undermines service delivery.
3. Implementation of the Parish Development Model: This initiative aims to integrate all citizens into the money economy, serving as a turning point for economic improvement. Civil servants are expected to actively implement and promote this program.
4. Efficient Tax Collection: The President has highlighted the need to increase tax collection to at least 20% of GDP to reduce dependence on external borrowing. Civil servants in relevant departments are tasked with enhancing tax collection mechanisms.
5. Ensuring Justice and Security: Addressing issues such as murder and theft is crucial for economic growth. The judiciary and law enforcement agencies are expected to act firmly against such crimes to maintain public confidence and security.
6. Lowering Electricity Tariffs: To attract investors, there is a directive to reduce electricity tariffs to US$0.05 per unit. Civil servants in the energy sector are responsible for implementing policies to achieve this target.
7. Adherence to Constitutional Guidelines: Civil servants are expected to guide cultural and religious leaders to act within constitutional boundaries, ensuring that all actions are in line with national laws.
Despite these directives, challenges persist in their implementation, often due to systemic issues, lack of enforcement mechanisms, or resistance to change within the civil service.