As part of Capacity Building, WCO organized a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) Workshop from 15 to 26 April 2018 for 20 senior managers of the Uganda Revenue Authority. The overall objective of the two-week interactive workshop was to strengthen senior management capacity to lead and drive reforms within URA. With this third LMD Workshop for URA almost all senior management of URA has participated in a LMD Workshop. It is one of URA highest priorities to install a new management culture that focuses on managing more strategically, excellent people management skills and modern leadership and management skills, attitude and behaviour.

Senior managers from various departments and units of URA participated in the workshop. A wide range of topics on personal and organizational development was covered such as leadership, integrity, gender and equity, negotiations, people management, strategic and personal communication and change management. The workshop highlighted the importance of leadership and management skills, as well as the responsibilities of individual managers, to drive modernization and change within their work and personal life. One of the important lessons taken away is that managing others and making change starts with the individual manager.

In his opening speech the Commissioner Customs of URA, Mr. Kateshumbwa Dicksons, emphasized the importance of the Leadership and Management Development for URA and for the future of the individual participants. As a former participant of the LMD Workshop he explained how the foundations and practical approach of the WCO LMD Workshop is having a great impact on the Authority.

Throughout the workshop, many of the current and future challenges of the URA were discussed. Participants shared their experiences and were able to underline procedures and practices to be improved in the future. They also presented and discussed significant change initiatives aiming at developing several areas within URA.

For many of the participants the workshop was regarded as an opportunity to assess their personal and managerial skills and approach in their work environment. As a result many of them committed to make fundamental changes in their management and communication styles. During daily feedbacks participants emphasized the importance of areas like self-awareness, deeper and more profound communication, people management and change management, as a key for further excellence, service and integrity within URA.

For more information on the WCO Leadership and Management Development Programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.