CIG and Government of Uganda Launch Inaugural Leadership Programme for Permanent Secretaries

March 18, 2025
Ms Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Office of the President, Republic of Uganda (first row, third from left) and Mr Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research), Chandler Institute of Governance (first row, second from right), with the Permanent Secretaries at the opening of the Public Service Leadership Excellence Programme in Kampala, Uganda.
KAMPALA (Uganda), 18 March 2025 — The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) and the Government of Uganda have jointly launched the inaugural Public Service Leadership Excellence Programme today at the Supreme Court Conference Hall, Judiciary Twin Towers, Kampala, Uganda. The programme, attended by all of Uganda’s Permanent Secretaries, including the Head and Deputy Head of Public Service, was officially opened by Ms Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet and CIG’s Managing Director (Strategy and Research), Mr Kenneth Sim. In her opening remarks, the Head of Public Service urged the Permanent Secretaries to seize this opportunity to enhance their knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen service delivery and governance.
“Let us seize this opportunity to learn, collaborate and innovate with the ultimate aim of delivering exceptional service to our citizens. Together, we can build a public service that is not only efficient and effective, but also compassionate and responsive to the aspiring needs of our society.”
Ms Lucy Nakyobe
Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet,Office of the President, Republic of Uganda

In turn, Mr Kenneth Sim thanked the Government of Uganda for the continued partnership and trust in CIG:

“This Public Service Leadership Excellence Program is a continuation of the partnership between CIG and the Government of Uganda. Thank you for the trust placed in CIG to co-organise this important training programme. It is a trust that we do not take lightly, and we will do our best to ensure that it meets its objectives”
Mr Kenneth Sim
Managing Director (Strategy and Research), Chandler Institute of Governance

The commitment by Uganda’s public service leadership to actively participate in this programme demonstrates the Government of Uganda’s commitment to strengthening civil service performance at the highest levels. Through its close collaboration with CIG, the programme will leverage CIG’s global expertise, deep understanding of public administration, and international network of experts to deliver a rich and immersive learning experience.


A Focus on Strategic Leadership and Governance


The first segment of the programme, which ran from 18 to 20 March 2025, focused on strategic leadership and governance. During this phase, Uganda’s Permanent Secretaries debated the role of leadership in addressing complex national challenges, discerned their roles in shaping Uganda’s national story, engaged in in-depth discussions on public service values and identified strategies to enhance whole-of-government collaboration.

(Left photo) CIG Expert Ms Nankhonde Kasonde-van den Broek encouraged the Permanent Secretaries to reflect on their leadership styles and their roles in driving impactful and effective governance. (Right photo) Mr Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research) of Chandler Institute of Governance, underscored the important role leaders play in stewarding the national story.

(Left photo) Participants exchanged insights with Dr Caroline Brassard, CIG Expert, on global trends and policy challenges and explored strategies to enhance the whole-of-government approach. (Right photo) Participants embarked on a learning journey to Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to examine the key enablers and strategies used to overcome barriers in delivering public services effectively to citizens.

Beyond the sessions this week, the Permanent Secretaries will participate in virtual cross-sector dialogues and international benchmarking visits. These engagements will enable public sector leaders in Uganda to draw on global best practices to enhance coordination and improve service delivery across Uganda’s public sector.

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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:

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

Savia Mugwanya (Ms)
Commissioner
Civil Service College Uganda

Tan Hui En (Ms)
Executive (Programmes)
Chandler Institute of Governance