On 16^th October 2026, the President of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM), Dr. John Nakabago who is also the Director of Finance and Administration at Uganda Management Institute paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Public Service alongside a delegation from the Uganda Association for Public Administration and Management (UAPAM) and members of Uganda Management Institute (UMI). Elected in 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Nakabago continues his leadership tenure through 2027, positioning Uganda at the forefront of continental public administration reforms. In fulfilling its core mandate, AAPAM drives governance innovation, research, peer learning, and capacity-building awards across member states.

The AAPAM delegation met with the Minister of Public Service Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwire and other dignitaries to discuss matters of mutual interest in relation to AAPAM and UAPAM strategic mandate, governance, regional impact and showcase collaborative avenues for improved public service delivery. Uganda’s leadership within AAPAM demonstrates our commitment to transforming public service delivery internationally

Established in 1971 and affiliated with the African Union, AAPAM serves as Africa’s premier professional body dedicated to promoting good governance, capacity building, and innovation across public service institutions. Its local chapter, UAPAM is hosted by UMI and brings together public servants, academics, researchers, and development practitioners to foster excellence in national public sector performance.

Key discussion points & strategic benefits:

The delegation and Ministry of Public Service officials deliberated on several key aspects aimed at leveraging international best practices to improve local service delivery, and these included:

> Continental Roundtable Conferences

The delegation highlighted Uganda’s central position in shaping Pan-African public administration, pointing to the benchmark set during the 43rd AAPAM Roundtable Conference in Kampala, which was presided over by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held in 2024. To sustain this continental leadership, the delegation officially presented the Hon. Minister with an invitation to attend the 45th AAPAM Roundtable Conference that will take place from December 8th to 11th, 2026, in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho.

> Innovations & Knowledge Exchange

Discussions highlighted exemplary public sector tools as models for continental research and capacity building, aligning with AAPAM’s mandate to source and conduct awards for innovators across Africa. The innovations discussed included e-governance solutions such as digital records, automated registries, and mobile-driven real-time activations, data-centric management systems, real-time dashboards and Open Data portals which advance public transparency, stimulate research, and drive technological solutions for public value.

> Capacity Building & Networking

AAPAM provides public servants access to specialized professional networks, including the Young Professionals Network (YPN), Women in African Public Administration Network (WAPAN), and the Africa Cabinet Secretaries Network (ACSNet) among others

Way Forward

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment, Gen. Katumba Wamala. urged public servants to leverage AAPAM and UAPAM networks for continuous career growth and capacity building. He further confirmed the Ministry’s commitment in expanding workforce engagement, supporting MDA participation in professional development and promoting Uganda’s innovations on the international stage.