Ministry and MultiChoice Roll Out Strategic Training for Government Communicators

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in partnership with MultiChoice Africa Holdings through MultiChoice Uganda, has launched an intensive media and communications training programme aimed at strengthening the skills of Government Communications Officers across Uganda.

Hosted at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, the training is designed to equip 200 government spokespersons with advanced skills crucial for effective public engagement in today’s evolving media environment. Participants will receive training in crisis communication and management, localizing government messaging, visual storytelling, event narration, and the strategic use of both traditional and digital platforms.

Officiating the launch, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, underscored the importance of skilled communication in building public trust and delivering government messages effectively.

“It is critical that our government spokespersons are empowered with the right skills to package information and communicate effectively, especially through new avenues brought about by digital transformation,” Dr. Zawedde said. “This series of trainings marks a significant step towards strengthening public trust and ensuring that messages are delivered with professionalism and impact.”

She commended MultiChoice Uganda for its proactive collaboration, describing it as a model example of private-public partnership.

“I commend industry players such as MultiChoice Uganda, who have taken an extra step to partner with the Ministry to empower Government Communications Officers. This is a display of true Private-Public sector partnership,” Dr. Zawedde added.

The programme is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in May 2024 between the Ministry and MultiChoice Africa Holdings, aimed at promoting digital literacy, responsible communication, and capacity building within Uganda’s communications sector.

Hassan Saleh, Managing Director of MultiChoice Uganda, highlighted the private sector’s role in supporting effective public communication.

“At MultiChoice Uganda, we recognize the critical role that communication plays in fostering informed public participation,” Saleh said. “Through this partnership, we are proud to support the professional growth of Government Communications Officers who are the frontline of public engagement, especially on issues of national importance, including health, education, and tourism.”

Moses Watasa, Commissioner for Communication, Information, and Dissemination at the Ministry, noted that government communicators must adapt to the changing communication landscape to remain effective in delivering timely and impactful information.

Rinaldi Jamugisa, PR and Communications Manager at MultiChoice Uganda, explained that the broader MOU aims to strengthen Uganda’s local content industry, promote awareness of intellectual property rights and anti-piracy measures, enhance digital literacy, and support policy development and professional training across the communications industry.

“This partnership goes beyond training—it’s about building sustainable capacity, fostering responsible storytelling, and ensuring that communication professionals can meaningfully contribute to national development,” Jamugisa said.

The initiative underscores a shared commitment by both the Ministry and MultiChoice Uganda to ensure that government communications are credible, timely, and impactful, contributing to public confidence and national progress.