The new Gulu district LC5 Chairman Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, has started using intercom and fixed telephone to track civil servants who absent themselves from their duty stations.

 

A similar initiative was advocated in 2009 but never implemented. Norbert Mao, the former Gulu LC5 Chairman said that many civil servants have been using their mobile phones to lie that they are in office, yet they are away from duty, and applauded the fixed line idea.

 

Mapenduzu said that to combat the practice, he has resolved to install fixed phone lines in all government institutions in the district.

 

The Gulu district Chairman says that it has become a habit for civil servants who have been using their mobile phones to lie that they are in office.

 

Many civil servants when contacted declined to comment on the matter but said that they doubtful the project will stand the test of time.

 

Abdallah Kiganda, the CAO Gulu said teachers top the list of absentees among the civil servant and warned that those who absent themselves from duty without any substantial reason will be fired.

 

Robison Obot, the Gulu district Inspector of Schools admits that the practice of going to school late is very common among teachers and their heads especially at the opening of school terms.

 

A recent survey by media houses in Gulu show that sub county chiefs are the worse when it comes to absenting themselves from their duty stations.

 

A November 2010 World Bank report revealed that in recent years, there has been severe decline in service delivery in Uganda, due to ineffective decentralization and ranked Uganda as the highest public service absenteeism in the world, hence the reason basic service delivery is failing.

 

It recommended that the country build “effective and accountable institutions to meet its development objectives” to improve governance and anti-corruption in Uganda.