Former NRM vice chairperson Captain Mike Mukula has urged government leaders to adopt a more hands-on approach to governance, saying effective leadership must be demonstrated through direct engagement with citizens and public projects.
In a statement, Mukula argued that leadership should not be confined to offices, but instead exercised where services are delivered.
He pointed to State Minister Balaam Barugahara’s style of leadership as an example worth emulating across government.
“Effective leadership is not exercised from behind a desk; it is demonstrated in the field. Hon. Balaam’s ‘Hands-On, Eyes-On’ approach reflects the proven principle of Management by Walking Around,” Mukula said.
He cited the leadership of former Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli, noting that his frequent inspections of public projects helped strengthen accountability and service delivery.
“This is a leadership style effectively embraced by the late President John Pombe Magufuli in driving public sector accountability. Uganda can equally benefit when service ministers regularly inspect projects, engage citizens, and verify results firsthand,” he added.
Mukula called on ministers across key sectors—including Health, Education, Agriculture, Works and Transport, Trade and Industry, and Internal Affairs—to prioritize field visits and direct supervision of government programs.
He also challenged oversight institutions to step up their presence on the ground, saying boardroom discussions alone are insufficient to address service delivery gaps.
“Parliamentary oversight committees, the Auditor General, local government oversight structures, and every Member of Parliament should spend more time on the ground than in boardrooms,” he stated.
According to Mukula, visible leadership and continuous inspection are critical in ensuring public resources are used effectively.
He stressed that regular monitoring would help detect inefficiencies early and allow for timely corrective action.
“Visible leadership, continuous inspection, and timely corrective action are indispensable to improving service delivery, safeguarding public resources, and ensuring every taxpayer’s shilling translates into measurable outcomes for our people,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when concerns over accountability and implementation of public projects continue to dominate governance discussions in Uganda.
Calls for improved transparency and better use of taxpayer funds have intensified in recent months.
Mukula maintained that a shift toward field-based leadership would help bridge the gap between policy and implementation, ultimately improving service delivery outcomes.
“Accountability begins where the work is actually done,” he concluded.