By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has concluded a five-day staff retreat aimed at strengthening teamwork, professional integrity and discipline as part of efforts to enhance performance across the statistical production chain.
Opening the retreat, UBOS Executive Director and Chief Statistician, Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, challenged staff to embrace and live the Bureau’s vision, mission and core values in the execution of their duties.
“You are the bearer of the vision, mission and core values of the Bureau; you must, therefore, be the champion and lead by example,” Dr. Mukiza said.
He emphasised the need for staff to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, trust and commitment in their day-to-day responsibilities, noting that the effectiveness of an institution depends not only on individual performance but also on the ability of its teams to work together, support one another and remain focused on shared objectives.
Dr. Mukiza also encouraged staff to embrace constructive conflict as an opportunity to improve decision-making and strengthen working relationships. He noted that differences in opinion should not divide teams, but instead encourage deeper reflection, better problem-solving and more informed decisions.
The Executive Director further highlighted the five dysfunctions of a team—absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results—urging staff to guard against behaviours that undermine teamwork and performance.
He cautioned that failure to uphold the expected standards of conduct could attract sanctions in accordance with the UBOS Human Resource Manual.
Dr. Mukiza urged staff to use the retreat as an opportunity for self-reflection and to deepen their understanding of how they can support one another in delivering on the Bureau’s core functions and broader mandate.
Closing the retreat, Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Vincent F. Ssenono, encouraged staff to strengthen teamwork, build trust, foster collaboration and cultivate a stronger sense of shared purpose.
He said the retreat provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their individual and collective responsibilities, appreciate the contribution of different departments and identify practical ways of working together to advance the Bureau’s mandate.
Dr. Ssenono urged participants to take the lessons, commitments and renewed spirit of collaboration from the retreat back to their respective workstations and translate them into improved performance and results.
The team-building retreat brought together staff from the Office of the Executive Director, including the Risk Management and Compliance Department, Public and Media Relations, and Professional Services. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
