By Ben Musanje
Minister for Water and Environment Kahinda Otafiire has issued a stern warning to staff across the ministry, declaring that officials who fail to perform their duties will be removed from their positions.
Speaking during his inaugural address after assuming leadership of the ministry, Otafiire said he would not tolerate excuses from public servants and expects all employees to deliver on the responsibilities for which they were recruited.
“With me, you are going to do what you are supposed to do. If you don’t, you go home,” Otafiire said.
The minister explained that government employees were hired to execute specific assignments and should focus on delivering results rather than offering explanations for failures.
“We didn’t hire you for excuses. Was it there when you applied for the job? You applied for the job. Do it. Do the job, do it to your best, for satisfaction, then you have no problem with me,” he said.
Otafiire repeatedly emphasized accountability throughout his speech, warning that poor performance would not be tolerated under his leadership.
The minister urged staff to seek guidance whenever they encounter obstacles rather than allowing problems to persist.
“If there is a problem, look for your supervisor. If the supervisor cannot sort out the problem, look for the next stage,” he said.
He encouraged ministry workers to escalate unresolved matters through established channels until solutions are found.
“When the worst comes, the worst comes to me. When I can’t find a problem, I also go to Cabinet, and then we shall go to Parliament and own the problem jointly as the Ugandan community,” he said.
Otafiire cautioned employees against silently struggling with challenges that fall beyond their authority.
“Don’t suffer with the problem alone,” he said.
He noted that some officers attempt to solve issues independently even when they lack the powers or resources required to make key decisions.
“Some of you want to do things on your own when you have no solutions, when you can’t make the necessary decisions, and you suffer silently,” he said.
The minister also called for teamwork and cooperation among departments, commissioners and technical staff within the ministry.
“I don’t have time for quarrelling. I have time for cooperative work,” he said.
Addressing commissioners responsible for water, environment and wetlands, Otafiire urged them to work collectively toward achieving ministry objectives.
“Commissioner for water, commissioner for environment, commissioner for wetlands, let’s work together. None of us is an island,” he said.
He reminded staff that the ministry existed before any individual employee and would continue long after current office holders leave.
“Your presence here in the ministry is an infinitesimal pause in eternity. The ministry was here before you. It is here with you. It will be here long after you are gone,” he said.
The minister advised officials not to personalize government institutions or treat public offices as personal property.
“Don’t make the ministry yours,” he warned.
Otafiire pledged to engage departments individually to review programmes and identify areas requiring support, but maintained that performance would remain a central expectation.
“Either we do what we are supposed to do or we go home,” he said.
The remarks set the tone for a results-oriented approach as Otafiire returns to a ministry he previously led before serving as Minister of Internal Affairs in the last government term. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
