Rt. Hon. Dr. Ndugu Ruhakana Rugunda, Outgoing Prime Minister

Rt. Hon. Deputy Prime Ministers

Hon. Ministers, incoming and outgoing,

Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet

The Permanent Secretary

Members of Staff

The Media Fraternity

Ladies and gentlemen

I thank God, who through H E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa has given me and my colleagues the opportunity to serve the people of Uganda in this important Office as Prime Minister.

I thank Rt. Hon. Ndugu Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and the outgoing team of ministers for the good work done during your tenure.

I particularly want to express my deep appreciation for the warm reception, guidance and counsel, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda gave me as soon as I was nominated to this office, and for the support you are continuing to give me as I embark on this important task.

We will carry on with your good work and continue to contribute towards the improvement of service delivery to Ugandans.

We recognize that the Office of the Prime Minister is a critical office charged by Article 108A of the Constitution to ensure coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation of Government programs and policies.

We are also charged with leading Government Business in Parliament to ensure that bills and policies are brought in time, and that ministers are available in Parliament to respond to issues and provide answers.

While addressing the nation after the swearing in of Cabinet yesterday, His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa outlined to us his expectations of his new Cabinet as follows:

  1. To be a Cabinet of cohesion
  2. To be a Cabinet devoid of corruption
  3. To be a Cabinet that is driven by patriotism
  4. To be a Cabinet that promotes integration of East Africa and Africa at large in order to expand market opportunities for our products.
  5. To be a Cabinet that is focused on service delivery.

To be able to achieve the above ambitions, we must be effectively coordinated.

For, without effective coordination, we waste energy, time and money.

Without effective coordination, we duplicate efforts.

Without effective coordination, Government operates in silos and doesn’t take advantage of the synergies that are available in each Ministry, Department and Agency.

Without effective coordination, we can’t have value for money.

With the Covid 19 pandemic in this second and most deadly phase, the role of the Office of the Prime Minister in leading and coordinating the National Taskforce on Covid 19 is critical.

Ugandans are looking up to us for answers and direction. We should not be found wanting in that regard.

Working with colleague Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, and with the support of technical staff, we commit to do the following;

  • Ensure that Government programs deliver value for money in a timely manner so that our people get the quality services they badly deserve.
  • Ensure that Government Business in Parliament is brought in a timely manner to avoid any delays.
  • Ensure that Ministers attend Parliament to respond to issues raised by the representatives of the people.
  • Ensure that Ministers and other public officials regularly inform the public using all available media and platforms about what Government has done, and explain where challenges exist, and what measures we are putting in place to address them.

We cannot afford to work in silence. Keeping quiet is not an option. Ugandans need and deserve a transparent and accountable Government, therefore publicity of what we do as the Office of Prime Minister must be given priority.

To my Deputies and Hon Ministers and, Ministers of State, I wish to assure you that we shall work as a team and support one another.  We shall also work very closely with the Technical Officers who should give us timely technical guidance.

I once again thank the Rt. Hon Ruhakana Rugunda and the entire team of the outgoing Political Leadership for your contribution in the running of Government.

I thank you all.

For God and my country