The Head of Public Service and secretary to the cabinet John Mitala has urged Uganda’s elites to participate in national development by giving back to communities and institutions of learning which nurtured them.
Mitala made the call while officiating at Uganda Management Institute (UMI) Alumni’s annual general meeting held this week at the Jinja road Campus.
“Irrespective of where you may be serving you are a member of the wider society. As part of the elite ask your good selves whether you have anything to help the communities among whom you live to improve their lot, ” Mitala said.
Aware of the argument that intellectuals are perceived as not well placed when it comes to ably giving back to their communities compared to the business community, Mitala added thus: “Here, am not talking about money only but also advice on the various aspects.”
Mitala however expressed disappointment with intellectuals whom he said use the guise of being “too busy” to embrace governance issues both at the local and national level.
“What have you contributed towards good governance? Do you for example, ever attend your LC meetings as and when they are convened or you only remember them when you need their (referring to LC I officials) signatures?” Mitala asked adding that: “I don’t expect you to know the whole Constitution by heart , but you are at least expected to be conversant with the 29 National objectives and Directive Principles of state policy as spelt out in the constitution especially No. 29 the duties of a citizen.”
According to the UMI ‘s Director for Finance and Administration John Nakabago, the alumni assembly which he said last sat in 2009 was intended to revamp the UMI Almuni Association which members complain has been dormant for years.
Charles Opolot a veteran journalist is one of those who expressed disappointment with the outgoing UMI alumni executive committee led by Rose Nalwadda for allegedly failing to keep the association active and vibrant.
“CMI is such a pompous institution that has contributed in this country, quality personnel who can become a great resource if they are well mobilized. But it is disappointing that that has not been possible for all this long,” Oporot lamented
Charging the incoming executive led by Ronald Mivule and deputized by former Daily Monitor Journalist Chris Obole, Nakabago echoed Mitala saying UMI owes a lot its alumni especially in the face of growing competition in a liberalized educational sector.
“It is for such a reason that we have employed a focal point person purposely to coordinate alumni affairs on a full time basis and to ensure their activities never stagnate ever again,” Nakabago said.
