By: Jotham Alinaitwe
KAMPALA
In a resounding call for strengthened public communication and storytelling, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Alex Kakooza officially opened the Government Communications and Public Relations Training Workshop on Tuesday at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), ADB Auditorium. The two-day training, organized by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, has drawn government communicators and PR officers from across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
PS Speaking during the Communicators Training
Themed around building strategic and people-centered storytelling within public service, the training aims to strengthen government communication systems and sharpen the skills of communication officers responsible for translating government action into public knowledge.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of Office Of The Prime Minister Alex Kakooza emphasized the central role communicators play in governance:
“Government work revolves around communication. It is not an add-on or support function — it is core to how government functions, and how citizens make sense of that function,” he said.
He also noted that public trust, access to services, and confidence in leadership are all deeply linked to how government stories are told.
“You are the bridge between government decisions and citizens’ everyday lives. You tell the story of government service—how it’s planned, delivered, and how it’s improving lives,” Alex told the participants.
PS Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde speaking during the Training of the Government Communications and PR Officers
The training features a variety of facilitators, including Frank Baine Mayanja, Senior Commissioner of Prisons and Deputy Director of the Commissioner General’s Office, who delivered a powerful session on “Mindset Change in Public Service Communication”. His session encouraged communicators to not only disseminate information but to lead with purpose, ethics, and a citizen-first approach in all messaging.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Aminah Zawede, in her welcome remarks, reminded participants of their mission:
“Our mandate is to ensure effective communication of government policies and programs and promote a national ideology for socio-economic transformation,” she said. “We envision a Uganda where citizens are well-informed and actively engaged, leveraging ICT to improve their lives and communities” she added.
She urged communicators to move beyond traditional press releases and embrace tools like digital storytelling, citizen engagement platforms, and real-time performance dashboards to keep the public informed and involved.
A Group photo of the Government Communications and PR Officers that attended the Training
The training comes at a time when Uganda is implementing the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), where performance and accountability are increasingly emphasized. With a youthful, connected population, the demand for clear, timely, and truthful communication from government has never been higher.
As part of ongoing reforms, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and OPM are championing a Whole-of-Government approach to communication — ensuring that government messages are unified, citizen-centered, and grounded in lived experiences.
“Citizens don’t experience government in fragments. Our communication must reflect that — seamless, strategic, and centered on impact,” Aminah said.
Participants were urged to view the training as more than just a capacity-building exercise, but as a “moment of recommitment to public service storytelling” Government communicators, the Kakooza said, are not mere messengers but “enablers of performance and trust.”
As the sessions continued into Wednesday, the training was expected to spark renewed commitment, innovation, and professionalism in how Uganda’s government tells its story — a story of service, impact, and progress.
ENDS
