By: Doreen Nasasira
KAMPALA
The Deputy Head of Public Service in charge of Performance and Service Delivery in the Office of the Prime Minister, Madam Jane Kyarisiima Mwesiga has called for consistency, accuracy, timeliness, empathy and clarity in the dissemination of information to the public.
Madam Mwesiga made the remarks at a training workshop organised for the Communication Officers in the Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The aim of the training was to equip the Officers with skills to enhance government communication.
The theme of the two-day workshop was “Impact-Driven and Digitally Enabled Communication for Enhanced Public Sector Performance and Service Delivery.” The workshop took place at Makerere University Business School in Kampala.
The Deputy Head of Public Service, Madam Kyarisiima delivers her remarks during the workshop for Communication Officers at MUBS
Madam Jane said the mandate of the Government Communicators is to ensure that every citizen understands the policies, programs and services meant to improve their lives.
“Your role as Government Communicators has evolved. You are not just informers, you are also nation branders, trust builders and facilitators of engagement. You are not just the voice of the government; you are also its ears. You are the essential bridge between the government and its people. Therefore, this requires you to have an interactive conversation with the public which allows for effective feedback. The Public deserves to be heard,” Kyarisiima said.
Kyarisiima urged the officials to enhance their usage of digital platforms during government communication, but also, called for intentionality to avoid its misuse.
“As Communication Officers there is need to redefine how you engage, inform and inspire trust in an ever increasingly digital world. You are now content creators, digital innovators and the trusted voices shaping the narrative of Uganda’s progress. You must share impact driven communication which is purposeful, engaging and measurable on the digital platforms, otherwise misinformation will be spread by others to fill the gap. It is important to understand that every unanswered query chips away the public trust and every meaningful response helps to rebuild it,” Jane said.
PS Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. ALex Kakooza giving remarks during the Training of the Government Communications and Public Relations Officers
The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime of Minister, Mr. Kakooza Alex said that the Communication Officers have the responsibility of shaping how the Public perceives the government based on the quality of their work.
“Government work revolves around communication. It is the core of how the government functions and how the citizens make sense of that function. This implies that, the quality of government communication shapes the public’s trust, its access to services, and the belief in the system that serves it,” Kakooza said.
Mr. Kakooza asked the Communication Officers to gear their efforts towards publicising the implementation of the Nation Development Plan IV by communicating its priorities, benefits and progress to the public.
He called upon the Communication Officers to communicate in a coordinated and coherent manner so that the government messages to the public are cohesive.
PS Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde speaking during the Training of the Government Communications and PR Officers
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Madam Aminah Zawedde, said the ministry is in the process of streamlining its human resources with aim to improve the efficiency and productivity of the Communication Officers, and also to cater to their career growth needs.
On behalf of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, she pledged her commitment and support to the Communication Officers on matters related to their deployment, career growth and path. End.
