Why Administrative Law course is key in retooling Public Servants

Highlights

• The course units are Introduction to Law, Criminal Law, Local Government Law, Delegation of Power, Court System, rule of Law, principles of natural justice, writings issued by the high court, administrative authorities, administrative processes, civil and public service
• Civil and public servants can undertake the 3 months Certificate Course in Administrative Law on the evening and weekend programs without necessary encroaching on their daily work routine

By Pacuto Peter

In the Financial Year (FY 2022-2023), most districts recruited staff for positions of Parish Chiefs and teachers to fill staffing gaps in the district service structure and provide improved Service delivery.

Retooling of civil servants is vital to support the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Universal Secondary Education (USE), Universal Primary Education (UPE), new education curriculum and SACCO management and other government programs.

It is painful to see respected senior government officers and district leaders arrested by State House officials, paraded at the Anti-corruption court over mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds in total disregard to the Public Finance Management Act 2015 and other legal provisions of accountability.

Why it is vital

I implore civil servants to undertake the prestigious certificate course in Administrative Law to enhance their knowledge of the law and equip themselves to serve better in government and follow statutory laid-down procedures of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act, Local Government Act Cap 243, education Act and the Public Finance Management Act 2015 among other laws.

“The course builds capacity of civil servants to act within the confines of the law, follow legal procedures while undertaking disciplinary measures and enhances a level of accountability, good governance and transparency.”

Public Servants are trained to cautiously use their discretional powers, understand how government operates, roles of the service commissions, Public service disciplinary procedures, vicarious offences committed by public officials, adherence to the public service standing orders.

They are also trained to know the repercussion of their acts, and community development officers are able to confidently support mediation and dialogue processes in land disputes.

And so, in the past, many local governments have erred in enacting ordinances and By-laws which require the perusal of the Attorney General after incorporating public views.

“With knowledge of Administrative Law, Councilors will gain mileage debate and discuss motions, budget appropriations and scrutiny from the point of knowledge of the 1995 Constitution and the Local Government Act.”

The course units are Introduction to Law, Criminal Law, Local Government Law, Delegation of Power, Court System, rule of Law, principles of natural justice, writings issued by the high court, administrative authorities, administrative processes, civil and public service.

It also includes delegation, management of public parastatals, licensing and standard settings, civil proceedings against government, and functions of police, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Inspectorate of Government, District Accounts Committee and doctrine of separation of powers among others.

Councilors and Parish Chiefs will understand the Local Government Act and how Prof. Mahmood Mamdani’s Commission in 1987 extensively undertook a citizen engagement exercise and briefed the country on its readiness for decentralisation governance in his report.

Candidates who possess a certificate in Administrative Law always score better in government job interviews, an acting District Production Officer can be confirmed to the position and a Personnel Secretary promoted to the position of Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS) in accordance with the provisions in the Service Commission.

Civil and public servants can undertake the three months Certificate Course in Administrative Law on the evening and weekend programs without necessarily encroaching on their daily work routine.  The Couse is available at the Law Development Center (LDC), Makerere University and Uganda Christian University.

The writer is a Court Accredited Mediator and Legal Manager at West Nile Mediation Center
Email: Pacutopeter@gmail.com
Mob: +256-782-285883