By Fidel Boy Leon
To strengthen and professionalise public communication across government institutions, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in collaboration with MultiChoice Africa Holdings, represented locally by MultiChoice Uganda has launched a strategic training programme targeting 200 Government Communications Officers.
The week-long Media and Communications Training Programme was officially flagged off at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa by Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry.
The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2024 between the Ministry and MultiChoice, aimed at promoting digital literacy, responsible communication, and local content development.
The training, delivered in two cohorts from July 7–10, 2025, focuses on equipping public communicators with essential skills in:
- Crisis communication and management
- Localization of government messaging
- Visual media production
- Event storytelling
- Digital platform optimisation
With digital platforms now central to public discourse, the Ministry believes that building a competent, agile communications corps is vital to strengthening public trust and improving service delivery narratives.
“Our government spokespersons must be empowered with the right skills to communicate effectively, especially in this digital transformation era,” said Dr. Zawedde. “This training is a major step toward building public trust and ensuring government communication is impactful and professional.”
She commended MultiChoice Uganda for its consistent support, describing the partnership as a strong model for public-private collaboration.
“I applaud MultiChoice Uganda for going beyond business and partnering with us to empower our communications officers. This is a demonstration of true commitment to national development,” she added.
At the flag-off ceremony, Hassan Saleh, Managing Director of MultiChoice Uganda, reiterated the company’s commitment to strengthening public communication.
“At MultiChoice Uganda, we understand the power of communication in driving informed public engagement.
Through this partnership with the Ministry, we are proud to support the growth of professionals who serve as the voice of government, especially in critical sectors such as health, education, and tourism,” Saleh said.
The initiative aligns with MultiChoice’s broader agenda of enhancing digital communication skills, promoting local storytelling, and supporting ethical media development.
The training arrives at a pivotal time when both traditional and digital media dominate how citizens access public information.
With rising concerns about misinformation and disengagement, the Ministry views the programme as a strategic response to the demands of modern governance.
“The environment in which we communicate has changed drastically,” said Moses Watasa, Commissioner for Communication, Information, and Dissemination at the Ministry. “This training is about equipping our officers with the tools to stay relevant and effective in this dynamic space.”
The programme is also tied to the broader objectives of the Ministry–MultiChoice MoU, which includes:
- Promoting digital skills development
- Supporting Uganda’s local content and creative industries
- Raising awareness on intellectual property rights and anti-piracy
- Encouraging sector-wide policy reform for a professional, ethical media ecosystem
“Our partnership with the Ministry is anchored in a shared commitment to build a stronger, more skilled, and ethically driven media and communications sector in Uganda,” said Rinaldi Jamugisa, PR and Communications Manager at MultiChoice Uganda.
By targeting both the technical and strategic competencies of government communicators, the programme aims to create a network of skilled professionals capable of telling Uganda’s development story credibly, clearly, and compellingly.
“This is about more than media training… It’s about national progress,” Dr. Zawedde concluded.