The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), through the Secretariat for Private Sector Development (PSD) and Development Plan Implementation (DPI) Programmes, conducted an orientation for newly recruited Programme Secretariat officers to strengthen their understanding of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and prepare them to effectively support Programme implementation.

The orientation was graced by Mr. Julius Victor Nkeramihigo, Permanent Secretary responsible for Government Policy Coordination at the Office of the Prime Minister; Mr. Patrick Ocailap, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury; Dr.Ssengonzi E. Ddamulira, Under Secretary/Accounting Officer, MoFPED; and Ms. Thereza Namwach , Assistant Commissioner/PAD representing the Acting Director Budget, MoFPED.

NDP IV, covering FY2025/26–FY2029/30, is implemented through a Programme-Based Approach that brings together Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Governments and non-state actors around shared development results. Programme Secretariats provide technical, coordination, monitoring and administrative support to Programme Working Groups (PWGs), Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and Programme Leadership Committees.

The orientation provided a common understanding of the Programme Approach, institutional arrangements and working systems under NDP IV. Officers were taken through the planning and budgeting framework, including Programme Implementation Action Plans (PIAPs), annual work plans, Budget Framework Papers (BFPs), budgets and project concepts. The sessions also covered performance monitoring, data management, reporting and the use of evidence to track Programme performance and identify implementation challenges.

In addition, participants explored practical aspects of Secretariat operations, including stakeholder engagement, meeting and records management, action tracking, preparation of policy and investment briefs, quality assurance and follow-up of agreed actions. The orientation clarified reporting and supervisory arrangements and provided an opportunity for officers to identify their immediate priorities following deployment.

The sessions emphasized the importance of effective collaboration, timely reporting, reliable Programme information and consistent follow-up in delivering NDP IV priorities. Officers were encouraged to take their responsibilities seriously, work diligently and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen coordination and Programme performance.

The orientation is expected to support the smooth integration of newly recruited officers into Secretariat operations and strengthen the capacity of all Programme Secretariats to deliver effective technical and coordination support under NDP IV.