The Secretary to the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande, has urged public servants to plan early for retirement, warning against postponing preparations until their final years in service.
Hajji Kakande said public service was a career with a definite beginning and end, requiring officers to save, invest and take care of their health to ensure a smooth transition into life after retirement.
“Public service is a career with a beginning and an end. Plan early for life after service. Save, invest and look after your health. Do not wait for the last year of service to begin preparing,” he said.
Hajji Kakande was speaking on Friday, November 13, 2026, during the closing of the five-day Third Policy Analyst Cadre Forum at Hoima Resort in Hoima City.
Organised by the Office of the President, the forum was held under the theme: “Promoting Professionalism in Public Policy Management for Effective Public Service Delivery.”
He cautioned public officers against rushing into business ventures, particularly trade, which he has complicated dynamics.He instead advised them to venture into easy to manage activities such as agriculture and cattle rearing.
“Quite often, I have seen officers who are retiring asking me what they should do next, and we obviously counsel them. Do not go into trade when you are retiring because it is something that needs to be started when you are young. When you start late, you may fail to manage its dynamics,” Hajji Kakande said.
He said the forum had achieved its purpose of providing a platform for policy analysts to exchange experiences, build professional networks and strengthen their capacity to promote efficiency and effectiveness in public service, particularly in public policy management.
He noted that participants had reflected on the evolution of public policy in Uganda, contemporary governance issues, performance management reforms, diplomacy, etiquette and protocol, as well as retirement planning, personal development and mental health.
He also challenged policy analysts to uphold professional standards and cultivate qualities that would strengthen their contribution to government decision-making and public service delivery.
Hajji Kakande further urged them to understand and take ownership of their mandates, explaining that policy analysis was a demanding professional responsibility that required officers to confidently articulate their roles and provide sound guidance.
He encouraged continuous professional development through reading, research and learning from experienced public servants, noting that policy analysts must remain knowledgeable about emerging issues across government.
Hajji Kakande further emphasised the importance of evidence-based analysis and ethical conduct, urging officers to provide honest and impartial advice that serves the public interest, even when such advice may be difficult.
On the other hand, he challenged policy analysts to embrace transfers and serve wherever they were posted, rather than becoming attached to particular ministries or departments.
“All ministries, departments and agencies belong to one government. As policy analysts, you are supposed to move around ministries and departments and familiarise yourselves with their mandates. You should be able to understand what is happening across the government,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also explained that such exposure would enable policy analysts to appreciate the interconnectedness of government programmes, identify gaps and initiate policy proposals that can eventually inform government decisions.
Hajji Kakande observed that although some policies originate from political leaders, public officers also play a significant role in identifying issues, developing proposals and presenting them for consideration and eventual implementation.
He further challenged participants to translate the resolutions of the forum into practical interventions, noting that the value of such engagements should be measured by what officers implement after returning to their respective institutions.
“The forum is only as good as what happens after it. Take the resolutions of this forum back to your accounting officers and ensure they are implemented,” he said.
Bunyoro’s transformation:
Hajji Kakande also commended the Government for the infrastructure and economic development taking place in the Bunyoro sub-region, citing Hoima City Stadium, Kabalega International Airport and the ongoing oil and gas developments.
He said the developments had significantly transformed Hoima and the wider Bunyoro region, urging residents to appreciate the government’s contribution to the area’s development.
“What has Bunyoro gained from the NRM Government? We have Kabalega Airport, Hoima Stadium and oil is coming out any time. Hoima is now different,” he said.
Hajji Kakande noted that the Banyoro had historically raised concerns about marginalisation dating back to the colonial period, but argued that ongoing government investments were changing the region’s development outlook.
He thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for prioritising the region’s development.
The Assistant Commissioner for Human Resource Management-Office of the President, Ms. Samali Ibanda, said the forum’s theme was timely, noting that professionalism was critical to the development and implementation of effective public policies.
She said policy analysts had a responsibility to guide the wider public service towards better policy formulation and implementation.
Ms. Ibanda highlighted the forum’s objectives, including strengthening professionalism, ethical standards and accountability; enhancing technical competence and institutional capacity; and promoting knowledge-sharing, innovation and collaboration among policy analysts.
“We have managed to achieve these objectives,” she said.
The Acting Assistant Commissioner for Policy Analysis-Office of the President, Ms. Namirembe Hafsa, thanked the Office of the President, under the leadership of Hajji Kakande, for the support extended towards organising the forum.
“We don’t take that for granted. We are really appreciative. It shows that you have us at heart,” she said, adding that participants had gained valuable knowledge on policy and other aspects of public service over the five days.
The Resident City Commissioner for Hoima City, Hajji Badru Mugabi, thanked the Office of the President for selecting Hoima to host the forum, saying the engagement would contribute to strengthening public policy management and service delivery.
He also highlighted major infrastructure projects transforming Hoima and the wider Bunyoro region, noting that participants had visited some of the government’s flagship development initiatives, including Hoima City Stadium.
Hajji Mugabi described the stadium as one of the government’s development success stories, citing its timely execution.
Mental health and professionalism:
During the forum, participants also received guidance on mental health and wellness from Dr Shafic Mujabi, a senior lecturer, researcher, consultant and trainer, who presented on the psychological aspects of mental wellbeing and how public servants can maintain their mental health both at work and in their personal lives.
Dr Mujabi described a mentally healthy person as someone who can think clearly, maintain healthy relationships, cope with normal life stresses, solve problems, work productively and contribute meaningfully to society.
He identified depressive disorders, anxiety and psychosis, among other conditions, as some of the mental health challenges that can affect individuals.
He also cited economic pressures, changes in leadership, work rotations and retirement as some of the factors that can contribute to mental health challenges among public officers.
“An employee is the system, and burnout is real. Protect your peace, normalise looking at the good things, and do not think in black and white. Be prepared for different possibilities in life,” he advised.
Dr Mujabi encouraged public servants to develop alternative plans, challenge limiting beliefs and adopt practical coping mechanisms to manage workplace pressures and personal challenges.
The forum brought together policy analysts for discussions on strengthening professionalism, institutional capacity and the contribution of evidence-based policy analysis to effective public service delivery.
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