Prime
Former head of public service John Mitala passes on
Deceased: The former Head of Public Service, John Mitala. PHOTO/ FILE
What you need to know:
- After more than 48 years in public service, Dr Mitala in September last year handed over office as the head of public service and secretary to cabinet to Lucy Nakyobe, the former State House comptroller.
The former Head of Public Service, John Mitala is dead, a close family member has said.
He is said to have died last evening after spending months in hospital.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja eulogized him as a humble, articulate, patriotic and a remarkable time manager.
“I am saddened by the loss of the former head of public service John Mitala. A great public servant, Very humble, articulate, Patriotic and a remarkable time manager. Condolences to the family, relatives and entire government of Uganda,” Ms Nabbanja tweeted.
According to the minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, Mitala who also served as secretary to cabinet was ethical and scandal-free.
"Just last year as you retired as HoPS，I lauded you for your long, outstanding ethical, scandal-free service to the nation. Integrity was your other name and now you are gone to be with the Lord. RIEP, Dr Mitala！BMB," she said.
After more than 48 years in public service, Dr Mitala in September last year handed over office as the head of public service and secretary to cabinet to Lucy Nakyobe, the former State House comptroller.
During the handover, Ms Babalanda hailed Mitala as a distinguished civil servant, who had left a trail of being incorruptible. Babalanda said unlike many civil servants who look at government jobs as means of getting rich, Mitala’s name had never been cited in any corruption scandal.
"Your outstanding performance will be remembered for a very long time in the Public Service of Uganda and generally in the East African Community. You have exhibited the highest qualities of a civil servant - a true proponent of the civil service and code of ethics. Many Ugandans believe that serving in a public office means enriching oneself with quick monies. However, for the time that I have known you, sir, I have not heard your name in any public scandal. I want you, and request you to maintain this level of integrity for the remaining part of your service to humanity," said Ms Babalanda.
Mitala joined the civil service on May 25 1973 working in the ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development where he was for 19 years. He later served as deputy head of the Public Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission and deputy head of public service and secretary for administration from 1998 up to 2002 when he was appointed as the head of the public service and secretary to the cabinet.
