The Office of the Presidency (OP) is a government ministry through which the Minister for the Presidency, on behalf of the Executive, provides leadership in public policy management and good governance for national development.
This Ministry was established by the Constitution of Uganda under Articles 98 and 108, which specify that there shall be a President of Uganda who shall be the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Fountain of Honour.
It is headed by Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda, who has been at the helm since June 2021
Article 99 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda vests the Executive Authority in the President, and he is responsible for the welfare of the citizens and safeguards the Constitution and Laws of Uganda, among others.
The Presidency therefore has a mission to provide leadership in public policy management and good governance for national development and a vision of realising a secure, well-governed, and developed nation.
The Minister for the Presidency presides over as the Executive Head of the Presidency alongside eight other Ministers.
These include the Minister without Portfolio (Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga), the Minister for Security (Hon. Jim Katugugu Muhwezi); the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation (Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza), and the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs (Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda).
Others are the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring (Hon. Beatrice Akello); the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity (Hon. Lilly Rose Akello); the Minister of State, Office of the Vice President (Hon. Diana Mutasingwa) and the Minister of State for Kampala Capital City Affairs (Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye).
Also under the Office of the Presidency are the Presidential Advisors, Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), Deputy Resident City Commissioners (DRCCs), Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and Deputy Resident District Commissioners.
There are presently 136 RDCs, 165 Deputy RDCs, 11 RCCs, and 11 Deputy RCCs under the Ministry’s docket.
Departments and Directorates
This Ministry of the Presidency is made up of various departments and directorates that work in tandem. These include,
- Cabinet Secretariat;
- Directorate of Ethics and Integrity;
- Directorate of Economic Affairs and Research
- Security Organisations (Internal Security and External Security Organisations)
- National Honours and Awards Chancery
- The manifesto implementation unit
- National Secretariat for Patriotism Clubs
- The Uganda AIDS Commission
- The Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC)
- RDC Secretariat
Mandate
In executing its duties, the Office of the President is empowered to:
- Support the provision of overall leadership in public policy management and promotion of good governance in public institutions.
- Provide efficient and effective support to the Cabinet in discharge of its constitutional mandate of formulating and implementing government policies.
- Cultivate and promote a favorable positive image of Uganda for enhancement of trade, investment, and national culture.
- Ensure that government policies, programs, and projects are adequately communicated, monitored, and evaluated.
- Mobilise the population towards achieving social and economic development and to promote “Prosperity for All” programs.
- Coordinate all agencies fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
- Detect, prevent, and curtail the commission of politically motivated crime and provide intelligence information to other agencies.
- Promote good governance in public institutions and civil society.
- Ensure the welfare and security of the president, vice president, and their families in an atmosphere of dignity and comfort.
The functional objectives of the presidency include:
- Ensuring that government policies, programs, and projects are adequately monitored and evaluated
- Promoting good governance in public institutions and civil society.
- Providing overall leadership of the state and better service delivery and job creation in line with the Government Manifesto
- Providing regional and international relations for purposes of social and economic gains, the creation of investment opportunities, and supporting the development of policy capacity across government.
Milestones
The Uganda Gazette, a weekly publication by the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), is among the success stories of the Office of the Presidency, under which docket it falls.
- The Gazette is official and authentic legal public information. Subscribers to the Uganda Gazette gain access to the weekly gazettes and any supplements published therein, which include: bills, legal notices, acts/legislation, and other government bulletins.
- The gazette was recently digitised undert the leadership of Prof. Sudi Nangoli, the Managing Director of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation who recently said the advancement aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for all Ugandans.
- The e-gazette aligns with Uganda’s digitisation strategy and UPPC’s recently revealed five-year strategic plan, wherein the Chief Government Printer aims to leverage technology to enhance their products. During the launch of the strategic plan, Prof. Sudi Nangoli assured that 80 percent of their product offerings will be digitised by 2026.
- UPPC continues to provide printing and publishing services to the government, ministries, departments, parastatal bodies, and to private individuals and organisations.
Basic Contacts:
Office Location: Apollo Kaggwa Rd, Kampala,
Uganda. Email Address: secretary@op.go.ug www.op.go.ug.
Urgent Call: 254881/6, /343926.