Communication officers in Western Uganda have been called upon to highlight government achievements in infrastructure, social service delivery, and other life-changing public programs, positioning them as vital voices in promoting Uganda’s development story.
Lt Col (Rtd) James Mwesigye, Commissioner for Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in the western region, made the appeal on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, while addressing communication officers during a two-day workshop held in Mbarara City.
The workshop was organised by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT&NG) and the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC).
Maj Edmund Turyantunga, Director of Mass Media at ISO, and one of the key speakers, emphasised the urgent need to reposition Uganda’s image through strategic communication. He described the failure to spotlight infrastructure and service delivery improvements as a missed opportunity to boost public morale and attract investment.
“It’s a missed opportunity if we fail to report on developments such as improved roads, hospitals, schools and bridges,” he said. “Communication officers must highlight the investment potential within their districts and show the world that Uganda is moving forward.”
Turyantunga emphasised the need for a united front between security agencies and communicators. While security personnel ensure peace and stability, he said, communication officers must convey that stability to the public and the global community to encourage economic confidence.
Robert Mugabe Sharp, Deputy Executive Director of GCIC, took the participants through a practical session on storytelling techniques. He emphasised the importance of crafting content that resonates with local communities while also aligning with national development goals. He urged communication officers to use deliberate and modern approaches to packaging government information in formats that enhance public accessibility and engagement.
“The way we communicate matters. Use your platforms to simplify, humanise and amplify the government’s progress,” he said during his presentation.
Adding a hands-on communication perspective, Jesse Ofwoni, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, encouraged officers to leverage smartphones and digital platforms. He also called for simple language and relatable visuals to share real-time progress on key programs, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“Use digital tools to tell Uganda’s success stories. People need to see, hear, and feel the transformation,” Ofwoni said.
Mwesigye also urged communication officers to be proactive and patriotic in their reporting. He warned against collaborating with media outlets that spread negative narratives and instead called for a stronger alignment with national goals.
“Help each other to promote the government. Once you do that, you also save yourselves,” he told officers. “Be patriotic, the government will continue to support you in reaching out to the public.”
He also emphasised the need for investigative communication, urging officers to expose corruption by working closely with District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) and other anti-corruption units. At the same time, he cautioned officers against engaging in such practices themselves.
In his concluding remarks, Mwesigye warned RDCs against political interference in party primaries, advocating for neutrality and respect for democratic processes. He reiterated that consistent monitoring and clear communication of service delivery would build citizen trust and reduce public grievances, and therefore help them make better informed choices.
