LIRA CITY, May 14, 2026 — Lira City Council has conducted a swearing-in ceremony for newly recruited staff who joined the institution during the 2025 mass recruitment exercise and the early 2026 recruitment process.

The ceremony was presided over by the Town Clerk, Mr. Okurut Vincent, together with the Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Okoth Jackson Ochen, and focused on orienting the newly appointed staff on public service values, discipline, and professional conduct.

During the function, staff formally took the Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy as required under the Uganda Public Standing Orders and the Official Secrets Act of 1964. Officials emphasized that the oath documents are official records that must be maintained in their original form and should not be photocopied.

Induction Programme Scheduled

The city also announced that an induction programme for the newly recruited staff will take place from 25th to 29th May 2026 at the same venue.

The five-day induction exercise will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be facilitated by the Civil Service College Uganda under the Ministry of Public Service.

According to city officials, the induction is intended to equip staff with knowledge on public service procedures, ethics, conduct, and government systems necessary for effective service delivery.

Newly recruited staffs formerly filling in the PSF 5 and PSF 15 oath form in presence of the Principal Human Resource (Witness) and the Town Clerk (Authorized person to administer the oath).

Principal Human Resource Officer Issues Guidelines

While addressing the new employees, Principal Human Resource Officer Mr. Okoth Jackson Ochen cautioned staff against absenteeism and emphasized strict compliance with attendance requirements.

He warned that staff who fail to attend the induction programme would not receive salary payments.

“No induction attended, no salary,” Mr. Ochen emphasized.

Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Okoth Jackson Ochen during his dissemination.

He further noted that attendance monitoring would be strengthened through biometric systems across divisions, headquarters, health facilities, and schools.

Mr. Ochen also informed law enforcement personnel that they would later undergo military-related training as part of institutional preparation requirements.

Dress Code Guidelines

The Human Resource office also reminded staff to observe the official public service dress code as stipulated in the Uganda Public Standing Orders.

Guidelines issued included:

For Male Staff

Wearing neckties while on duty
No short trousers
Hair to remain below one inch in length

For Female Staff

Decent attire below the knees
Avoidance of tight-fitting trousers
Maintenance of orderly hairstyles with one hair colour for plaited hair

The Principal Human Resource Officer further explained that salary payments would be linked to attendance in line with public service regulations.

Staff were also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the government’s Human Capital Management (HCM) system and obtain the necessary login credentials for online appraisal and personnel management processes.

HCM Portal: https://hr.hcm.go.ug

Town Clerk Congratulates New Staff

In his remarks, Town Clerk Mr. Okurut Vincent congratulated the newly recruited employees upon successfully passing the recruitment process conducted by the City Service Commission.

He described them as among the best candidates selected from a highly competitive process and urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and discipline in public service.

“You were selected because you emerged among the best candidates presented by the City Service Commission,” the Town Clerk noted.

Mr. Okurut further reminded staff that the oaths they had taken were legally binding and should not be treated as mere formalities.

“The oaths are not just words. They carry legal implications and responsibilities for every public officer,” he cautioned.

The Town Clerk also warned against habitual late reporting to duty and encouraged the Human Resource department to continue sensitizing staff on official working schedules, including reporting time, break periods, lunch hours, and dismissal procedures.

He added that participants who successfully complete the induction programme would receive certificates issued by the Civil Service College Uganda at the end of the five-day training.

The city leadership expressed optimism that the induction and orientation process would help the newly recruited staff integrate smoothly into public service and contribute effectively toward improved service delivery in Lira City.

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