According to OPM Press Secretary Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi, the outgoing Prime Minister lived by his word. Described by many as a workaholic, the now former prime minister dedicated more time to his job, often leaving the office as late as 10pm. Mayanja says the annual performance appraisals saw the light of day because of Mbabazi's unwavering quest to have public servants play the role they are paid to do.
He is one human being many would love to hate. Amama Mbabazi sent sentiments of both fear and respect for the last three years while at the helm of Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
In July 2011, while at a farewell party for his predecessor Prof Apollo Nsibambi at Protea Hotel Kololo, Kampala, Mbabazi cautioned civil servants that it wasn't going to be business as usual.
According to OPM Press Secretary Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi, the outgoing Prime Minister lived by his word.
Described by many as a workaholic, the now former prime minister dedicated more time to his job, often leaving the office as late as 10pm. Mayanja says the annual performance appraisals saw the light of day because of Mbabazi's unwavering quest to have public servants play the role they are paid to do.
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Christine Guwatude , the OPM permanent secretary, speaks with passion about the tenure of Mbabazi who served as Prime Minister from June 2011 until he was dropped from cabinet just three weeks ago. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda was last week sworn in as Mbabazi's replacement.
Guwatudde says for the one and half years she has been at as the accounting officer, the former Prime Minister has ensured that OPM steers ahead. She describes her tenure as a rewarding journey with Amama Mbabazi that enabled her learn the virtue of commitment to the job and serving Uganda.
Mbabazi's businesslike approach, Guwatudde says, saw the office accomplish so many key assignments. She said some issues which looked hard to attain like Investors' round table, Prime Minister's question time in parliament were put into place by Mbabazi.
The commissioner Disaster Preparedness Rose Nakabugo says she was surprised at the working methods of the former Prime Minister. She says in times of crisis when everyone was panicking, he was always calm in handling what seemed to be very hard matters.
The permanent secretary agrees with Nakabugo on Mbabazi's crisis management skills. She says whenever one met with the Prime Minister, they were assured of direction and decisions reached.
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Guwatudde says the inter-ministerial meetings that the former prime minister introduced created a linkage which improved on the efficiency of government.
The commissioner for information Moses Wetasa said because of the strictness on performance indicators, the staff realized that there was need for team work. Wetasa said the former Prime Minister was result-oriented that whenever he summoned a staff, it was about briefing him on the progress one has made in a given assignment.
Wetasa says Mbabazi stressed the role of public service delivery He said he was in OPM to ensure that the manifesto of government is fulfilled.
Dalton Kaweesa
Freelancer