On Thursday 03^rd December 2020, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General met with legal officers from all public institutions to discuss on key changes in new law establishing the general statute governing public servants, issues surrounding contracting and management as well as status of recovery of public funds.

While addressing Public legal Officers, Minister Busingye requested them to scrutinize contracts before they are signed and take part in contract management where need to be, to be independent-minded and to always put their opinions on record, to ensure that Attorney General Opinions are complied with, to mitigate Government loss, to render full support to State Attorneys in case their institutions are involved in litigation, to support the Ministry of Justice Asset recovery team in raising awareness and recovering GoR funds and to improve the standard of their in-house legal opinions by pointing out pitfalls.

He reminded that it should be every public servant’s responsibility to ensure that contracts are well designed and implemented.

“We want to remind that loss of public funds resulting from poor contract management should not be tolerated by any one holding public office. Our ultimate goal should be maximum prevention of litigation against the Government and to secure a win whenever litigation happens,” he said.

 He added that public entities will be required to go through an elaborate process to ensure that all possibilities have been explored, choosing only to go to court as a last resort. 

Minister Busingye reiterated that legal advisers have always insisted that their institutions take cases to court instead of amicably settling contract conflicts.

“As we enter the New Year, 2021, you should aim at reaching a state of zero litigation. You should strategise to achieve it in this coming year” he emphasized.