Africa-Press – Uganda. The Ministry of Finance has warned that government officers responsible for creating new arrears will face penalties, as part of broader efforts to strengthen financial discipline and improve service delivery.
The warning was issued during a recent project management conference organized by Project Management Institute (PMI) , where experts highlighted persistent challenges facing public projects in Uganda such as delays, budget overruns, and substandard quality often resulting from poor planning and a shortage of certified project managers.
Gertrude Basiima, Acting Assistant Commissioner Project Analysis and public Investment at the Ministry of Finance said the government is committed to halting the accumulation of domestic arrears, which are largely driven by weak planning and failure to adhere to budgeting procedures.
“Arrears arise when ministries commit to services without proper planning and budgeting. If project managers don’t do their job, the result is debt,” Basiima explained.
“The government’s new stance is clear: no more arrears will be tolerated. Officers who create new arrears will be penalized. We are focused on clearing existing obligations not creating new ones,” she added.
Basiima described the directive as a critical measure to address chronic financial mismanagement that has historically strained government operations and undermined public service delivery.
At the same event, Disan Katabalwa, President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Uganda Chapter, urged project managers to pursue professional training and certification to improve project success rates across the country.
“We are in a digital era, and artificial intelligence (AI) is now essential to modern project management. Project managers should embrace AI for scheduling, data-driven decision-making, and performance monitoring to enhance delivery,” he said.
He noted that many government projects underperform due to a lack of certified personnel.
“One of the major challenges is that most project handlers are not certified, which compromises planning, execution, and ultimately results in cost overruns,” he said.
To tackle the issue, PMI Uganda has partnered with key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), to strengthen local capacity.
“We are training and certifying project managers to address the systemic problems affecting project delivery. Investing in professional knowledge and tools will improve project outcomes, ensuring timeliness, quality, and cost control,” Katabalwa said.
The NSSF Managing Director, Patrick Michael Ayota, also spoke at the conference, unveiling a new institutional strategy focused on three pillars: safety, convenience, and empowerment.
Ayota admitted that the Fund had previously lacked robust systems to effectively address member concerns, prompting a significant operational shift.
“We realized that internal empowerment was crucial. Without systems to support our members, we couldn’t meet their expectations,” Ayota said.
He emphasized that the new strategy is not only centered on enhancing the member experience but also on boosting staff morale and organizational coherence.
“Sometimes, the best way to serve the customer is by first taking care of the staff. When staff are motivated, service improves,” he noted.
As part of its performance goals, NSSF aims to deliver at least 200 basis points (2%) in annual growth in member returns, beginning from a baseline set in August 2022. This forms part of a results-driven approach that ties strategic intent to measurable outcomes.
The Fund has also adopted a cross-functional project management model that brings together teams from IT, marketing, customer service, commercial, and risk departments to ensure collaborative and responsive service delivery.
“You need someone senior enough to champion a project, secure resources, and push back when necessary. That’s why we appointed a senior executive from marketing to lead one of our key projects,” Ayota explained.
To enhance coordination, Ayota revealed that the Project Management Office has been embedded within NSSF’s Strategy Office to align long-term planning with real-time execution.
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