The United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) today honored 14 retiring colleagues with the Secretary-General’s Long Service Awards, recognizing decades of dedicated service to the United Nations and its mandates across peace operations, development, humanitarian response, and institutional support.
Speaking at the Long Service Award Ceremony held at the UN Entebbe Campus, the Director of RSCE, Mr. Paulin Djomo, paid tribute to the awardees for careers defined by professionalism, resilience, and commitment to service. Representing the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as is customary across duty stations, the Director presented the awards to the recipients.
‘Today, as we gather to honor remarkable individuals who have dedicated decades of service to the United Nations, the same spirit of purpose resonates through this room,’ Mr. Djomo said. ‘Your service has carried our mandate across borders and through crises, and it has helped people we will never meet to live with greater dignity and hope.’
Across the UN Secretariat, Long Service Awards recognize colleagues who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service, reflecting different career paths united by a shared commitment to the Organization’s values and mission. At RSCE, today’s ceremony highlighted not only length of service, but also the continuity, institutional memory, and reliability that long-serving staff bring to complex operational environments.
Addressing colleagues, the Director emphasized that “long service is not merely about tenure; it is about reliability, knowledge continuity, and a legacy that strengthens this institution,” he said, noting that the awardees’ contributions have supported peace, human rights, development, and dignity for communities worldwide.
The ceremony also acknowledged the critical role of families and support systems in sustaining long careers with the United Nations. Appreciation was extended to the families, partners, and loved ones of the awardees, recognizing that long service is a shared journey supported by sacrifices and encouragement behind the scenes.
As RSCE continues to operate in a period of transformation and reform across the UN system, the Director underscored that staff remain the Organization’s most valuable resource. He highlighted that the dedication and resilience of long-serving colleagues have been central to the UN’s ability to adapt and deliver in dynamic and often challenging environments.
In closing, Mr. Djomo thanked the awardees for their service, example, and quiet leadership, reminding colleagues that the strength of the United Nations lies in the cumulative impact of everyday dedication. ‘You followed different paths but made the same conscious decision: to contribute your skills and expertise to the United Nations,’ he said. ‘Today, we acknowledge that choice and the difference it continues to make.’
