Makindye: In a changing urban landscape where local governments are increasingly expected to deliver efficient, transparent and people-centred services, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council has embarked on a strategic reflection aimed at strengthening performance, accountability and sustainable development.
The Municipality’s Town Clerk, Mr. Moses Otimong, has challenged municipal leaders and staff to embrace teamwork, innovation and integrity as the foundation for transforming service delivery.
Speaking after a staff retreat held at Jinja Civil Service College in an exclusive interview, Otimong said the engagement provided an opportunity for leaders and technical staff to step away from routine duties, evaluate their achievements, identify challenges and collectively design practical solutions for improving services to the people of Makindye Ssabagabo.
“This retreat provides us with a valuable opportunity to step away from our daily routines, reflect on our achievements, examine the challenges we face and collectively chart a way forward,” Atimong said.
He described the retreat as a platform for strengthening teamwork, improving communication and renewing commitment towards the municipality’s mission, vision and core values.
Building a Performance-Driven Municipality
Otimong told participants that effective service delivery requires every department and individual to understand their role in achieving the municipality’s priorities.
He emphasised that no institution can succeed through isolated efforts, saying collaboration among departments remains critical in achieving sustainable development.
“Our greatest strength lies in our ability to work together, support one another and pursue common goals,” he said.
The retreat focused on evaluating where the municipality has come from, where it stands and where it needs to go, with participants expected to agree on practical actions that will strengthen service delivery.
Key areas under review included administration, finance and planning, works and natural resources, education, production, community-based services, public health, trade, industry and local economic development.
The discussions also examined audit findings, risk management and priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.
A Vision for a Better Municipality
Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council’s vision is to become a well-planned, clean and prosperous municipal council, while its mission focuses on providing quality, cost-effective and sustainable urban services.
The municipality’s core values include integrity, dedication, transparency, innovation and determination.
Otimong urged staff members to demonstrate these values in their daily work, saying public institutions must continuously improve in order to meet the expectations of citizens.
He said a modern municipality must be responsive, accountable and innovative in addressing the needs of residents.
Supporting Uganda’s Development Agenda
The Town Clerk further highlighted the municipality’s role in contributing to Uganda’s wider economic transformation agenda.
He noted that urban councils play an important role in supporting industrialisation, tourism, science and technology development as the country works towards expanding its economy.
Otimong said municipalities must position themselves as engines of growth by promoting efficient service delivery, sustainable urban planning and innovation.
“As a municipality which plays an integral role in coordinating Uganda’s transformation agenda, we must strive for service excellence through a competitive, people-centred and innovative approach,” he said.
Renewed Commitment to Citizens
By the end of the retreat, participants were expected to develop shared commitments aimed at improving municipal performance.
These include stronger collaboration across departments, clearer accountability measures, improved financial management and renewed dedication to ethical leadership.
The retreat comes at a time when local governments across Uganda are under increasing pressure to demonstrate value for public resources by ensuring that services reach communities effectively.
For Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, the message from the engagement was clear: development begins with responsible leadership, coordinated teamwork and a commitment to putting citizens at the centre of governance.
As the municipality moves forward, Atimong believes that a united workforce driven by integrity and innovation will be critical in building a cleaner, better planned and more prosperous Makindye Ssabagabo.
