Reforms are Often Resisted at the Beginning

These were the words of Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Uganda while gracing the joint MEFMI/World Bank regional training on Debt Management Performance Assessment (DeMPA) held from June 27 to July 1, 2016 at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda. The training introduced participants to the concepts of debt management as enunciated in the revised DeMPA tool.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Muhakanizi commended MEFMI and World Bank for organizing the training at the time when many countries in the region are at different stages of implementing debt management reforms. He reminded participants that all reforms including those on public debt management often face resistance from both technical and policy makers. Nevertheless, he advised participants to acquire the necessary skills at the training and be courageous and resilient in advising policy makers with well-informed, practical and feasible alternatives. He uged participants to appreciate debt management reforms with the aim of modernizing debt management in their respective countries. While welcoming the guest of honor, the Director of the Debt Management Programme, MEFMI, Mr. Raphael Otieno, highlighted on the regional progress in undertaking reforms following debt management performance assessments.

He further indicated the areas that need further reforms in the region that underscored the organization of the training. During her introduction, Ms. Lilia Razlog from the World Bank commended the partnership between the World Bank and MEFMI that has facilitated capacity building in most of the countries in the region. The training brought together mid to senior level government officials dealing with public debt management from ministries of finance and planning, and central banks. A total of 34 officials participated in the workshop (Chart 1). Ms. Lilia Razlong from the World Bank headquarters in Washington, and Messrs Raphael Otieno and Lekinyi Mollel (from MEFMI Secretariat) and Gregory Smith from the World Bank, Zambia country office, facilitate the training.

The workshop was delivered through a combination of PowerPoint presentations, case studies as well as sharing country experiences. The presentations covered key concepts and issues on all key spheres of public debt management. Participants from Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe shared their countries’ experiences on managing public debt. The training closing ceremonry was graced by Mr. Isaac Mpoza, the Director of Debt and Cash Management department in Uganda. Mr. Mpoza commended the resource persons and participants for the successful training. He also urged participants to use the acquired skills at the training to spearhead the reforms and be bold in advising policy makers on the necessary reforms for effective public debt management.