Nakyobe Calls for End to Contract Extensions for Retiring Officers
KAMPALA – The Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, has issued a strong recommendation for the government to immediately cease the practice of granting contract extensions to senior officers who have reached retirement age.
The directive, which emphasizes creating a clear pathway for younger talent, insists that top positions should be handed over to a new generation of officers who are still in active service.
Nakyobe’s position challenges a long-standing tradition within the public service where experienced officials are retained on contract after their mandatory retirement. While often justified for continuity and institutional memory, this practice has been criticized for blocking career progression and stifling fresh ideas.
The call for change signals a potential major shift in the government’s human resource policy. If implemented, it would open up numerous senior roles to younger, ambitious civil servants, potentially revitalizing government departments with new energy and perspectives.
Proponents of the move argue it is crucial for combating career stagnation and rewarding loyalty within the lower and middle ranks of the public service. However, it may also raise concerns about losing the vast experience of veteran officials abruptly.
The government has yet to issue an official response to the recommendation from its top public servant. All eyes will now be on whether this proposal is adopted as formal policy, fundamentally altering the leadership structure of Uganda’s public service.
