Ministry Drivers Cautioned to Prioritise Safety and Vehicle Maintenance

Ms Sophia Nantongo, the Under Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has today guided the Ministry’s drivers to prioritise safety and vehicle maintenance while executing their duties during a refresher training held at the Ministry’s Offices. In her remarks, which were read by Ms Christine Najjuma, the Principal Assistant Secretary, Ms Nantongo guided the drivers to prioritise not only their own safety but also that of their passengers and other road users. This, she said, would happen if drivers desisted from speeding, driving under fatigue or any other risky behaviours that may put lives at risk. Regarding vehicle maintenance, she remarked that the vehicles entrusted to drivers are valuable government assets, and as a result, the onus falls on the drivers to ensure that maintenance and routine checks on engine oil, tyre pressure, brakes, and cleanliness, amongst others, are carried out. She added that these preventive maintenance measures would, in turn, reduce breakdowns, ensure safety and save costs for the Ministry. The other areas she highlighted as critical to a driver dispensing his duties as required were: being disciplined, exhibiting professionalism at all times, time management, smartness, and communicating with clarity and purpose. Just like the Under Secretary, the day's trainers shared more or less similar observations that if the drivers followed, they would have a distinguished time in public service. First was Engineer Watta Ivan, the Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, who gave the drivers the basic technical tips on proper car management and maintenance. These basic tips, he said, included driving with care, changing the engine oil and filter regularly, cleaning the engine, and generally maintaining the car regularly. “When your car is dirty and not maintained properly, you will also be afraid to check it sometimes because you know that if, for example, you open the bonnet, it will get dirty. So always ensure your car is clean and thoroughly checked before you embark on any journey,” he advised. The other trainer, Ms Birungi Evelyn, the Principal Human Resource Officer at the Ministry of Public Service, reminded the drivers of their commitment to serve the public with diligence and excellence, in light of the Oath of Service they had taken upon joining the Public Service. “We expect all public servants to provide quality service to the general public,” she said. She also added that, “We need public officers who are honest, have integrity, are accountable and reflect a good image of the public service both during official time and in private life.” Drawing on Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli’s saying, “Whoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times,” she encouraged the drivers to realise that, even within their roles, they could become change agents. The Principal Assistant Secretary closed the session by advising the drivers to take care of their health by exercising regularly and having regular medical check-ups.