CIG and Government of Uganda Celebrate Completion of Transformative Leadership Journey

July 31, 2025
Pictured with the participants are representatives from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Public Service Commission (PSC), Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), Office of the President (Uganda), and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)
Front row (left to right):
  • 2nd from right: Prof. Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson, Public Service Commission
  • 4th from right: Mr. Willie Vukela, Acting Director General of the Department of Public Service and Administration
  • 3rd from right: Mrs. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Uganda
  • 5th from left: Mr. Ho Wei Jiang, Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa), 31 July 2025 — The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), in partnership with the Government of Uganda, is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the Uganda Public Service Leadership Excellence Programme, a transformative six-month learning journey spanning Uganda, Singapore, and South Africa.

This milestone marks the culmination of a powerful capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening leadership and excellence across Uganda’s public service.

“This programme was started by the Chandler Institute together with our team to build the capacity of Uganda's top leadership. We’re very glad that we are now in an African country to benchmark from fellow Africans. Let us move from talk to transformation. From concept to commitment. If other countries have made it, so can we.”

said Mrs. Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet in her opening remarks.

“This benchmarking visit presents a valuable opportunity to initiate formal cooperation between [South Africa and Uganda]. These engagements focus on shared knowledge in performance management, systems, training development and other areas of concern in public service.”

Mr. Willie Vukela, Acting Director-General of South Africa’s Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) observed.

“It is fitting that we are completing this journey with a benchmarking visit to South Africa, a country whose resilience and commitment to strengthening governance continues to inspire progress across the continent and beyond.”

Noted Mr. Ho Wei Jiang, Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance.

A Shared Commitment to Professionalising the Public Service


The final segment of the programme, held in South Africa, offered a valuable opportunity for reflection and peer exchange. Hosted by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National School of Government (NSG) and other leading institutions, Uganda’s Permanent Secretaries engaged in rich dialogue with their South African counterparts on core issues such as professionalisation, ethical leadership, performance improvement, and citizen-centric service delivery. These are essential pillars in the journey towards building effective, trusted, and values-driven public institutions.


Learning session in progress: Exchanges between the Ugandan delegation and South African public sector experts on their experiences in public sector reform, accountability, and performance management

CIG Expert Ms. Yoliswa Makhasi shares her experience in bridging policy and implementation to advance professionalisation in South Africa’s public service

Lessons in Service Delivery, Innovation and Values-Based Leadership


The learning extended well beyond the classroom. The delegation visited the Thusong Service Centre in Soweto, a flagship example of South Africa’s one-stop service delivery model that brings government services directly to communities. The visit offered a valuable point of comparison with Uganda’s own integrated service approach through the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). Participants exchanged perspectives on implementation models and shared insights into common challenges and opportunities in delivering accessible, coordinated public services.


Participants explore the Thusong Service Centre model, which enables integrated, community-based delivery of public services

The delegation also visited Constitution Hill, a site rich in historical and cultural significance. The visit deepened participants’ understanding of how South Africa’s commitment to justice, human rights and constitutional values is woven into the fabric of its public institutions. It reinforced the importance of leadership rooted in integrity, accountability, and public trust.

At Constitution Hill, participants reflect on the role of history, justice, and constitutional values in shaping inclusive governance

From Learning to Action


The programme concluded with the Permanent Secretaries presenting their capstone projects – reform initiatives inspired by their learning and aligned with Uganda’s strategic governance priorities. Each group will implement their projects over the coming year, translating insights gained from this international learning experience into tangible reforms for improved institutional performance and service delivery back home.


Celebrating the close of a unique experiential learning journey with a renewed commitment to public service excellence

About the Programme


Launched in March 2025, the Uganda Public Service Leadership Excellence Programme is a four-segment initiative co-designed by the Chandler Institute of Governance and the Government of Uganda. The programme is structured as follows:

  • Segment 1: Strategic Leadership and Governance in Uganda
  • Segment 2: Virtual cross-sector dialogues
  • Segment 3: Benchmarking visit to Singapore
  • Segment 4: Benchmarking visit to South Africa
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About the Office of the President, Uganda and Office of the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet

The Office of the President is mandated to provide leadership in public policy management and good governance for national development. In this regard, the Office ensures that it provides efficient and effective support to Cabinet in the discharge of its constitutional mandate of formulating, determining and implementing government policies; government policies, programs and projects are adequately monitored and evaluated; it mobilizes the population towards achieving social and economic development; it detects, prevents and curtails the commission of politically motivated crime and provide intelligence information to other agencies among others.

Support to Cabinet comes through the Cabinet Secretariat, headed by the Secretary to Cabinet who is also the Head of Public Service. The office of the Head of Public Service is entrusted with:

  • Tendering advice to the President on matters relating to the Public Service
  • Coordinating of the activities of Permanent Secretaries
  • Supervising the work of Permanent Secretaries
  • Serving as a link between the Executive and the Public Service
  • Serving as a link between Service Commissions
  • Ensuring the implementation of Cabinet and other Government decisions
  • Any other duties assigned from time to time by the President.

About the Civil Service College Uganda

The Government of Uganda established Civil Service College Uganda (CSCU) on 1st July 2010 under the Ministry of Public Service as a centre of excellence in public service development. The mandate of the College is to build the capacities of Public Service Institutions and human resources for improved performance in public service delivery. It has the core functions of In-Service training to build the capacities of public service institutions and human resources for effective service delivery; supporting Public Policy Research and providing advisory services; as well as supporting Innovations in strategic areas of National Development.

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Singapore. We believe in a world where citizens have a deep sense of trust in their governments and public institutions, and where nations are governed by principled, wise leaders supported by an effective civil service. Trust and effective governance serve as a strong foundation for national development and prosperity. CIG supports governments in building government talent, leadership and public service capabilities through training programmes, research initiatives and advisory work. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.

For more news and information, visit https://www.chandlerinstitute.org/ or follow CIG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST

About the Chandler Academy of Governance (CAG)

The Chandler Academy of Governance (CAG) is the training arm of CIG. CAG complements and supports CIG’s work by designing and delivering training programmes that are practitioner-oriented, to equip government leaders with capabilities required to meet the realities and demands of public service work. CAG works with its panel of adjunct trainers and subject matter experts in the design and delivery of these programmes.

For more information about CAG, please visit https://www.chandleracademy.org
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For media clarifications, please contact:

Chandler Institute of Governance
Email: communications@chandlerinstitute.org

Mutesa Betty Cwinya-ai (Ms)
Under Secretary
Cabinet Secretariat, Office of the President

Savia Mugwanya (Ms)
Commissioner
Civil Service College Uganda