Lawyer Godwin Toko has raised concern over what he describes as a gradual loss of urgency and accountability in Uganda’s governance and public service, saying the country risks falling behind if corrective action is not taken.
Toko says there was a time when government institutions operated with a strong sense of national purpose, particularly in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, when delivery of public services was treated as a priority.
He argues that this spirit has since weakened, replaced by delays, inefficiency, and increasing tolerance for corruption within major public projects.
“We had urgency to get things done for the good of Uganda,” he said, noting that earlier years were defined by faster decision-making and a stronger focus on national needs.
He pointed to key infrastructure projects that, in his view, reflect current inefficiencies.
Among them is the Kiwatule–Kiira road, which he says has taken more than four years under construction, and the new parliamentary chamber, whose works began in July 2017 and are still ongoing.
According to Toko, such delays are now often accompanied by inflated project costs and limited consequences for officials linked to corruption allegations.
He says this pattern has contributed to growing public frustration and weakening trust in state institutions.
“Corruption cases emerge, scandals follow, and life continues as normal,” he noted, arguing that accountability mechanisms are not strong enough to deter malpractice in public projects.
Toko further warns that the country risks long-term institutional decline if the current trends continue unchecked.
He urges a return to what he calls a national mindset where public service delivery was guided by commitment to Uganda’s development rather than personal or political gain.
He stressed that development projects should be executed with consistency and efficiency, without being derailed by mismanagement or repeated delays.
“We need to get back to that time when we had this country at heart,” he said, adding that Uganda’s leadership and citizens must refocus on national priorities.
Toko cautioned that countries which lose internal discipline and shared purpose often struggle to sustain progress, citing historical examples of once-powerful states that declined over time.