In a bid to improve the credibility and effectiveness of public communication, government communications officers from various Ministry agencies have undergone a two-day intensive training on ethical communication strategies, crisis management, and the use of modern digital tools.
The workshop, organized by the Office of the Prime Minister, was held at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Nakawa.
A group of government communications officers from diverse institutions has concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop at Makerere University Business School, Nakawa, aimed at enhancing ethical communication and strategic public engagement in the digital era.
The workshop, spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister, brought together communication leads from institutions including UBOS, KCCA, PPDA, UBC, Nation Media Group, and several others. The initiative comes at a time when public trust, effective crisis response, and digital transformation are becoming critical for government agencies.
Mwinganisa Pius, Principal Communications Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, led discussions on active listening, trust-building, and the importance of aligning communication with institutional impact.
“You have to make people trust your organization to show the value of your agency’s work and ultimately reinforce public confidence in government,” he stressed.
David Matovu, Senior Corporate and Public Affairs Officer at the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), emphasized the adoption of digital tools in content creation and distribution.
“We must embrace new-generation software and digital platforms to ease workflows and ensure timely, accurate information reaches the public,” Matovu said.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health, championed inclusivity and collaboration within the profession. He proposed the strengthening of communications officers’ Saccos to ensure financial resilience and networking.
Wilfred Ssenyange, Head of Public Relations at UBC, cautioned communicators against relying on free publicity and encouraged institutional budgeting for advertising and digital outreach.
“We love free things which isn’t sustainable. Let’s budget for visibility and develop solid communication strategies that reach people effectively,” he advised.
Delivering the keynote, Deputy Head of Public Service Jane Kyalisiima Mwesigwa called on communicators to become authentic storytellers of government impact.
“You are the essential bridge between the government and its people. Every citizen should access the right information—stories must reflect the values and impact of public service, not just challenges,” she said.
The workshop closed with a renewed call to government communicators to evolve from passive relayers of official information to proactive shapers of public perception through transparency, digital innovation, and storytelling that reflects government progress and citizen impact.
