In a strategic move aimed to improve employee morale and motivation, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has concluded a five-day staff retreat for 2026.
This aimed at strengthening teamwork, professional integrity and discipline to enhance performance in the statistical production chain.
The Executive Director and Chief Statistician, Dr. Chris N. Mukiza, while giving his opening remarks, urged the staff to understand and appreciate the Bureau’s vision, mission and core values in the execution of their duties.
“You are the bearer of the vision, mission and core values of the Bureau, you must, therefore, be the champion and lead by example,” Dr. Mukiza said.
He also called for special responsibility of the staff to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, trust and commitment in the execution of routine roles. He noted that the effectiveness of an office depends not only on an individual performance, but also on the ability of staff to work together, support one another and remain focused on the broader objectives of the Bureau.
He further urged staff to embrace constructive conflicts as an opportunity to improve decision making and strengthen working relationships. According to him, differences in opinion should not divide teams, but rather encourage deeper reflection, better problem-solving and more informed outcomes.
Dr Mukiza also lectured the staff on the five dysfunctions of a team which includes absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and lack of results. He called upon staff to disassociate themselves from such acts, or else they risk sanctions based on UBOS Human Resource Manual.
He urged the staff to use the retreat as an opportunity to gain and deeper understanding of who they are and how best they can support each other to deliver on the broader core functions of the Bureau.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Executive Director Dr. Vincent F. Ssenono encouraged the staff to exercise teamwork, build trust, foster collaboration and promote a stronger sense of shared purpose among themselves. He noted that this event provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their individual and collective roles, appreciate the contributions of each department and identify ways of working together to advance the Bureau’s mandate.
He further urged the participants to carry the lessons and commitments from the retreat back to their respective workstations as a driver to achieve a much desired mandate of the Bureau.
The Team building retreat, involved participants from the office of the Executive Director including Risk Management and Complainace Department, Public and Media Relations and Professional Services.
UBOS is the principal data collecting, processing, analysing and disseminating agency responsible for coordinating and supervising the National Statistical information in Uganda.
