Uganda has been entrusted with the chairmanship of the Africa Union’s (AU) Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development, and Decentralization for a two-year term, set to conclude in 2026.
The announcement was made during the 5th ordinary session of the AU-STC, held in Tunis, Tunisia, where Uganda’s Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Ms. Judith Nabakooba, formally assumed the position.
In her acceptance speech, Nabakooba emphasized Uganda’s readiness to lead the continent in tackling key issues related to public service efficiency, local governance, urban development, and decentralization.
“The role of good urban governance, efficient public service, and effective local governance in achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063 cannot be overemphasized,” she stated. She highlighted Uganda’s commitment to advancing these goals, underscoring the importance of cooperation among African nations to realize the vision of a prosperous, integrated, and sustainable continent.
Nabakooba acknowledged the pressing challenges facing Africa, including inefficiencies in public service, the need for digital governance, the development of smart cities, and the decentralization of power.
“We need to face these challenges squarely with continental solutions,” she said, calling for a unified approach to sharing best practices and aligning policies across member states. Her leadership will focus on capacity building, policy development, and creating an enabling environment for progress.
She also committed to ensuring the implementation of the African Charters under AU STC No. 8, driving concrete actions that will align with the continent’s broader goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
