Government Employees to Lose Jobs if They Fail to Meet Set Targets

Government workers could soon face dismissal if they fail to meet performance expectations, following a new reform agenda unveiled by Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe.

Speaking on April 28, 2026, at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, Nakyobe addressed Local Government Human Resource managers and Secretaries of District Service Commissions, outlining a shift toward performance-based retention in the civil service.

Nakyobe revealed that the government is planning to amend long-standing provisions governing public servants, particularly the clause that guarantees permanent and pensionable employment. The proposed change would tie job security directly to performance outcomes.

“We are going to change the clause in the standing orders which says that you are permanent and pensionable. We are going to add on that you are permanent and pensionable if you deliver,” Nakyobe said.

She indicated that oversight of government workers will become more rigorous, with authorities stepping up follow-ups, assessments, and routine checks to ensure duties are carried out effectively. The intention, she explained, is to eliminate laxity and reinforce a results-driven culture across public offices.

Nakyobe also signaled a shift in deployment policy, explaining that senior officials such as Permanent Secretaries and departmental heads will no longer remain in one posting indefinitely. Instead, they will be reassigned periodically to encourage fresh leadership approaches and curb the buildup of entrenched interests.

She made it clear that adherence to the new directives will be mandatory, stressing that officials who resist reassignment or fail to align with the reforms risk being pushed out of the system altogether.

Additionally, she pointed to persistent malpractice in recruitment processes, especially within District Service Commissions, warning that such conduct erodes professionalism in the public service. She emphasized the need to review appointment procedures to ensure that hiring is based on competence rather than influence.

Weeks ago, government officials were arrested for selling jobs, as reported Here and There.

You can see the full salary structure for the current financial year HERE.