By Diana N.Kintu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Mr Julius Victor Nkeramihigo as Permanent Secretary in charge of Policy Coordination, in a move aimed at strengthening oversight of government programmes and improving service delivery across the public sector.
The appointment, communicated through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), places Mr Nkeramihigo under the Office of the Deputy Head of Public Service, where he will oversee coordination, performance management, and service delivery functions.
Official confirmation was delivered by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, during an orientation meeting held at the Office of the President Conference Hall in Kampala.
In her remarks, Ms Nakyobe said the new Permanent Secretary will play a central role in aligning government policies and programmes to national priorities. She explained that the coordination function is critical in ensuring that ministries, departments and agencies work in a harmonised manner to achieve measurable results.
“Effective coordination is essential if government programmes are to be implemented efficiently and if services are to reach citizens as intended,” she noted, calling on institutions to extend full support to Mr Nkeramihigo in the execution of his duties.
Ms Nakyobe also clarified the existing administrative structure within the OPM, stating that Alex Kakooza will remain the overall Accounting Officer as Permanent Secretary. She said Mr Kakooza will continue to oversee the implementation of social action and development programmes, ensuring continuity in the ministry’s core functions.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretary is expected to lead efforts in strategic coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and supervision of officials attached to the coordination function. These responsibilities are seen as key to improving accountability and tracking the performance of government initiatives.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr Nkeramihigo pledged to strengthen coordination mechanisms within the public service and ensure that government programmes are implemented effectively and sustainably.
“I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that public service delivery meets the expectations of Ugandans and contributes to national development,” he said, expressing gratitude to President Museveni for the trust placed in him.
The Deputy Head of Public Service, Jane Kyarisiima, welcomed the appointment, noting that the additional leadership capacity would enhance the institution’s ability to fulfil its mandate. She said strengthening coordination structures is vital for improving efficiency and ensuring that policy decisions translate into tangible outcomes.
Observers within government say the creation and reinforcement of coordination roles reflects a growing emphasis on results-based management and accountability in public service. Weak coordination has often been cited as a bottleneck in programme implementation, leading to duplication of efforts and delayed service delivery.
Mr Kakooza also expressed optimism about the appointment, saying it would reinforce performance across government institutions. He noted that improved coordination would help streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance the overall quality of public services.
The appointment comes at a time when the government is prioritising performance management and service delivery reforms as part of its broader development agenda. By strengthening coordination at the centre, officials believe Uganda will be better positioned to implement policies effectively and deliver meaningful impact to its citizens.
Mr Nkeramihigo’s new role is therefore to ensure that government programmes are not only well-designed but also effectively executed, monitored, and aligned with national development goals.