KAMPALA — The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, has urged newly recruited staff at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) to uphold professionalism, integrity and accountability in the execution of their duties, warning them to always prioritise public interest in decision-making.
Speaking at the closing of an induction programme for newly recruited Economists, Accountants, Statisticians, Internal Auditors, Procurement Officers, Inventory Management Officers and Microfinance Officers, Dr Ggoobi said public service demands discipline and ethical conduct at all times.
“Before you do anything, always ask yourself: Does what I’m going to do safeguard public resources and advance the collective welfare of the citizens of Uganda?” he said.
He urged the new staff to embrace the core values of public service, including discipline, integrity, accountability, diligence, teamwork, professionalism and confidentiality.
“You must apply technical competencies in the execution of your work and also embrace the values and ethical standards of public service,” Ggoobi said.
He further cautioned the recruits to work collaboratively across departments and always keep the national interest at the centre of their decisions.
“I urge you to work collaboratively across directorates, departments and units, support one another and keep public interest at the centre of your decisions,” he added.
Budget Office Explains Role of Key Department
At the same induction programme, John Muheirwoha, Acting Commissioner of the Budget Policy and Evaluation Department, said the new interns had joined the “engine room” of Uganda’s public finance system.
“You have chosen to begin your professional journey at the very heart of Uganda’s public financial management architecture,” Muheirwoha said.
“The Budget Policy and Evaluation Department is not merely one of the many departments in this Ministry, it is the engine room of the national budget process.”
He explained that the department coordinates formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of the national budget, ensuring alignment with national development priorities.
“Every Uganda Shilling that the Government spends on roads, schools, hospitals, water, and economic development passes through the budget systems and frameworks that this Department is responsible for coordinating,” he said.
Budget Cycle and Legal Framework
Muheirwoha further outlined Uganda’s budget cycle, which runs from July to June under the Public Finance Management Act.
He said the process involves four key stages: budget formulation, approval, execution and oversight. “Budget formulation runs from July to February, where we issue budget guidelines and coordinate preparation of budget framework papers,” he said.
He added that Parliament approves the budget by 31 May, while the Minister of Finance presents the Budget Speech by 15 June. “Budget execution begins in July with quarterly releases to MDAs and local governments, while oversight is conducted throughout the year,” he explained.
Muheirwoha also emphasised compliance with key legal frameworks, including the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act and the National Development Plan IV. “Compliance with these frameworks is not optional. It is the professional and legal obligation of every officer in this Ministry, including interns,” he said.
Advice to Interns: Discipline and Initiative
The Commissioner urged interns to be proactive, disciplined and inquisitive as they begin their careers in public service.
“Be proactive. Do not wait to be told everything. Take initiative, read documents and ask questions,” he said. “Maintain confidentiality. You will handle sensitive government fiscal and policy information, and this must be treated with utmost discretion.”
He added that the internship should shape not only technical skills but also professional values. “I want you to leave this Ministry not just with a certificate, but as better informed citizens and professionals equipped to serve Uganda,” he said.
Public Service as Development Work
Muheirwoha emphasised that the work of MoFPED directly contributes to national development outcomes. “When we formulate a budget that funds a new health centre in Karamoja, or a road in Kapchorwa, or bursaries for students at university, we are directly contributing to improving the lives of Ugandans,” he said.
He concluded by welcoming the interns to the Ministry, describing it as a key institution in Uganda’s economic transformation agenda. “You have joined an institution that, every year, shapes how resources are allocated to serve the people of this country,” he said. “Welcome once again.”