The government is considering the establishment of a new committee responsible for evaluating and assessing accounting officers across the country as part of a broader effort to enhance service delivery.
This initiative, unveiled by the Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe, aims to ensure that accounting officers adhere to higher standards of accountability and performance.
Speaking at a two-week retreat organized by the Ministry of Local Government for accounting officers at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi District, Nakyobe stressed the importance of meeting performance targets. She firmly stated that any accounting officer who fails to achieve at least 50% of their performance targets would be required to resign.
Benjamin Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, fully endorsed the government’s move to enforce accountability among accounting officers. However, he also highlighted the need to address the challenges these officers face in the field.
Among the key concerns raised by the accounting officers were the need for salary enhancements to reflect the demands of their roles and the lack of transportation necessary for inspecting and monitoring government projects.
In response to calls for salary enhancements, Nakyobe reaffirmed the government’s stance, emphasizing that salary increments would first be prioritized for scientists and military personnel before being extended to other sectors.
The retreat, which brought together accounting officers from across the country, is part of the Ministry of Local Government’s continued efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery at the local level.
As the government advances these plans, many remain optimistic that such measures will result in more efficient public service delivery, increased accountability, and enhanced public confidence in the management of government resources.
