Nakyobe declares efficiency ‘non-negotiable’ in Uganda’s business reforms
Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, addresses the 2nd Annual Doing Business Forum at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.
The Second Annual Doing Business Forum opened today at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala under the theme “Enhanced Public Sector Efficiency for Private Sector Competitiveness.” The high-level forum brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for improving government efficiency as a driver of business growth and economic transformation.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, underscored the importance of public sector efficiency in unlocking Uganda’s economic potential. She noted that while the government has made notable progress in creating a favorable business environment, the private sector still faces significant hurdles.
“Licensing procedures remain lengthy, infrastructure approvals are fragmented, and access to serviced industrial parks or reliable utilities is often unpredictable,” Ms. Nakyobe said.
“Exporters continue to grapple with high compliance costs, excessive documentation, and delays at border points. These bottlenecks increase the cost of doing business, erode competitiveness, and discourage both local and foreign investors.”
Ms. Nakyobe emphasized that efficiency is non-negotiable, calling for faster, transparent, and cost-effective service delivery across all public institutions.
“Whether registering a business, obtaining a construction permit, acquiring land, or connecting to electricity, efficiency must be the standard,” she added.
She further directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to develop service delivery standards, client charters, and strategic plans aligned to the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) by December 30, 2025, warning that non-compliance would affect the performance ratings of respective Permanent Secretaries.
Ms. Nakyobe also highlighted the need for productive partnerships between the public and private sectors, urging civil servants to embrace discipline, integrity, frugality, time management, and empathy as core values for delivering better services.
Government reaffirms commitment to enabling business environment
Delivering his remarks at the same forum, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, said Uganda stands at a “pivotal moment” in its economic journey, guided by the National Development Plan IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
He reaffirmed the government’s ambition to transform Uganda into a middle-income, export-driven economy, targeting a tenfold GDP growth to USD 500 billion by 2040.
“Our shared goal is simple and urgent: make the public sector work better so the private sector can create more jobs, add more value, and attract more investment,” said Ggoobi.
Mr. Ggoobi outlined key goals under the Public Sector Transformation Programme of NDP IV, which include:
- Raising transparency and accountability in service delivery from 70% to 90%.
- Improving staffing levels from 55% to 85%.
- Increasing local government fiscal sustainability from 34% to 50%.
- Ensuring that 80% of Ugandans (up from 50%) have access to efficient public services by 2030.
He also revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), noting that regional offices have been opened in Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale to improve access to certification services.
“The UNBS budget has increased from Shs 58.1 billion in FY 2024/25 to Shs 133.8 billion this financial year to allow for more staff and expanded standards coverage across regions,” he said.
Digital Transformation and Procurement Reforms
Addressing long-standing inefficiencies in public procurement, Mr. Ggoobi pointed to the rollout of the e-Government Procurement System (e-GP) to 62 MDAs and 134 Local Governments, noting that the platform has helped reduce delays, improve transparency, and eliminate manual inefficiencies.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) to expand broadband infrastructure, making data more affordable and reliable for both government agencies and private businesses.
Both speakers reaffirmed government’s commitment to simplifying processes, reducing the cost of doing business, and building a responsive public service that enables private sector growth.
The Doing Business Forum serves as a key platform for dialogue between policymakers and business leaders, aiming to identify actionable reforms that will position Uganda as a competitive investment destination in the region.
