Values and ethics enter the real world: a framework for public leadership and governance

Indications are that an ethical problem exists regarding the internalisation of norms and values in the public sector. This results in an unacceptable number of public scandals related to malfeasance and it indicates that mechanisms to curb ethical violations are not always effective. All over the world governments experience such ethical violations. This article argues for a paradigm shift in public leadership and governance. What is required is a framework for the internalisation of values, ethics and norms to accentuate accountability. It is argued that answers to malfeasance do not lie in the ordinary process of education and training to conscientise public leaders about their role and compliance to policies, rules and regulations. Instead the solution is contained in the internalisation of values and ethics of public leadership and governance, and ensuring that these are upheld at all times. There should also be sanctions for unaccountability. Negotiating the reasons for not meeting set goals after the fact is a practice that compromises accountability. It is emphasised that accountability can thrive only in situations wherein values and ethics are rendered practical through public leadership and governance

Governance nexus and service delivery in Uganda

Based on empirical research, it is apparent that frameworks of good governance exist in Uganda, i.e. effective participation observed in the decentralisation policy, accountability and transparency promoted through the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), as well as the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), among others. However, in spite of the existence of these frameworks of good governance, service delivery tends to remain somewhat uneven, and below the citizen’s expectations. This article complements the existing empirical literature on service delivery in Uganda. The article employs a qualitative approach and data is collected through the use of literature review of public documents, academic analysis and findings on governance and service delivery in Uganda