Gen Katumba Wamala: Public Servants Should 'Eat on the Job, Not Eat the Job'

Public servants must remain dedicated to serving the populace with honesty and impartiality, a principle emphasized by the Minister for Public Service, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala. Speaking at a gathering of accounting officers, LC5 chairpersons, Resident District Commissioners, and District Service Commission members from the Lango Sub-region in Lira City, Gen. Katumba stressed that public officers exist to serve the citizens, not the other way around.

He called for services to be delivered without regard to political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion, drawing an analogy that a pothole affects everyone equally, irrespective of their political leanings. The minister strongly advised against the misappropriation of government property, using the vivid phrase “Eat on the job. Don’t eat the job.” He illustrated this with the example of a grader operator who might steal and sell a vehicle’s battery, effectively ‘eating the job’ they are meant to perform.

Gen. Katumba also highlighted the importance of listening to public complaints, viewing them as valuable feedback mechanisms for identifying and rectifying weaknesses in service delivery. Lira City Town Clerk, Geoffrey Bamanyisa, shared challenges faced by local government accounting officers, including a perceived lack of trust from the central government, despite being entrusted with substantial budgets.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire announced ongoing initiatives within the Ministry of Public Service, including a wage harmonization exercise and the restructuring of city administrations to align with current population growth and operational dynamics. State Minister Lydia Wanyoto challenged Lango leaders to establish their sub-region as a benchmark for exemplary public service delivery.