The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has concluded a five-day staff retreat designed to strengthen teamwork, professional discipline, integrity and collaboration as the institution seeks to improve performance across the statistical production chain.Opening the retreat, UBOS Executive Director and Chief Statistician, Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, challenged staff to take personal responsibility for upholding the Bureau’s vision, mission and core values, saying employees are central to translating the institution’s goals into meaningful results.
Dr. Mukiza urged staff to lead by example in their respective roles, stressing the importance of professionalism, integrity, trust and commitment in the execution of their daily responsibilities. He noted that the success of an institution cannot depend solely on individual performance, but also on how effectively employees work together towards common objectives.He encouraged staff to embrace constructive disagreements as a tool for improving decision-making and strengthening workplace relationships.
According to Dr. Mukiza, differences in opinion should be used to stimulate deeper reflection, better problem-solving and stronger outcomes rather than creating divisions within teams.The UBOS chief also highlighted the five dysfunctions of a team—absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results. He cautioned staff against behaviours that undermine teamwork, noting that such conduct could attract disciplinary action in accordance with the UBOS Human Resource Manual.Dr. Mukiza further called on participants to use the retreat to deepen their understanding of themselves, their colleagues and their respective responsibilities, while identifying practical ways of supporting one another in delivering the Bureau’s core functions and mandate.Closing the retreat, Deputy Executive Director Dr. Vincent F. Ssenono urged staff to build trust, strengthen collaboration and cultivate a stronger sense of shared purpose.
He said the engagement offered an important opportunity to reflect on individual and collective responsibilities, recognise the contribution of different departments and explore better ways of working together.The retreat brought together staff from the Office of the Executive Director, including the Risk Management and Compliance Department, Public and Media Relations, and Professional Services. Dr. Ssenono urged participants to translate the lessons, commitments and teamwork developed during the retreat into their daily workstations, saying sustained collaboration and accountability will be critical to advancing UBOS’s mandate.
