Kampala, 15th February 2016:- “After this retreat I envision a Country Office that knows what is expected of us; we should be among the leading implementers of the Transformation Agenda by implementing the Key Performance Indicators to change the image of Africa,” said Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the World Health Organization Representative in Uganda Country at the 3-day WHO Uganda 2016 staff retreat held at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel in Kampala.

Dr. Alemu said that a lot of changes are going on in WHO and the staff ought to appreciate and adjust accordingly adding that “change is inevitable, and we must move with it. It is no-longer business as usual”.  He reminded staff about The Regional Director’s vision that is to see an efficient and accountable regional office including country offices which is the basis of the Transformation Agenda.

The retreat is  part the of strategic planning process for the WHO Uganda country office hence  staff converged at Munyonyo  to discuss the  office activity work-plans for 2016-2017.

The team assessed the country office’s performance as per the recommendations of the 2015 retreat; discussed the new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs); the Electronic Performance and Development Plus System (ePMDS+). They also undertook several team-building enhancement activities as well as reflecting on other issues other staff welfare issues that affect performance and effective delivery of expected results.

To achieve the above objectives several presentations were made and discussions held on: UN Security in Uganda, Reform and Transformation Agenda and implication to WCO work; Accountability and internal control framework; The United Nations Development Framework and Delivering as One; Achieving efficiency and effectiveness; and a recap on “Managing Yourself” – a component of the WHO competence model.

At the end, the presentation and the rich discussion led Dr Alemu to envision a WCO team “that knows what is expected of it and that will expand its influence and contribution to other sectors whose mandates impact significantly on health”.

Prior to formal closure, the staff elected a new Staff Association Executive to steer the association during the next two years. They are:

• Dr. Abel Nkolo, President
• Mr. Moses Bagyendera,  Vice President,
• Ms. Elizabeth Malinga, Secretary
• Mr. Lali William Ziras, Treasurer
• Dr. Annet Kisakye, Committee Member
• Mr. Gregory Kabuza, Committee Member
• Dr Grace Kabaniha, Committee Member

The retreat was facilitated by Coach Africa, a professional consultancy based in Kampala.

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For more information, please contact:

Mwebembezi Edmond, Public Information Officer, Tel.: +256 414 335569, Cell: +256 782 962674

Email: mwebembezie [at] who.int (mwebembezie[at]who[dot]int)

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Below:

01. Dr. Alemu guiding staff on how to write out their activity work-plans

02. Dr. Alemu delivers his remarks at the retreat

03. WCO Uganda staff in a group photograph at the retreat

04. WCO Uganda staff pose for a group photographs after assembling ‘Ofwono– a ‘tall man’ made out of paper’