Awel Uwihanganye to Head Govt’s Citizen Interaction Centre

Awel Uwihanganye has been appointed to head the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC) which facilitates communication between Ugandans and government as a way of monitoring service delivery.

Uwihanganye’s new role was announced on Thursday by Minister for ICT, Frank Tumwebaze. GCIC was previously headed by Morrison Rwakakamba.

“Happy to receive and welcome comrade @Uwihanganye_A joining us at @MoICT_Ug as our new head of @GCICUganda,” Tumwebaze tweeted on Thursday.

The Minister said Uwihanganye will be deputized by Duncan Abigaba.

Uwihanganye, who holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Concordia University has experience in Public Relations, Communications, Strategic Planning among others, and has largely worked in the private sector.

He is the Founder of the Léo Africa Institute, an initiative that engages young and emerging thought leaders in Africa to create change in their communities, businesses and living significant lives.

Previously, he served as the Program Coordinator at the Konrad Adaneuer Stiftung (KAS) and as CEO for Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2012 to 2013).

The Government Citizen Interaction Centre which is housed under the Ministry of ICT was established as a primary contact Centre for citizens to enhance the monitoring of service delivery and provide a channel for feedback and suggestions from citizens.

Its role is to also create awareness on public services. GCIC facilitates citizen led service delivery monitoring by providing avenues for feedback with the ordinary citizen.

This is done through numerous communication avenues including a toll free call centre, a web portal, a quarterly news letter as well as social media platforms.

The GCIC assists in the distribution of government statements, documents to citizens. An information enquiry service is provided, where government and government-related information can be obtained.

It also provides media monitoring, photographic, radio and video production services to government. In addition, the facility maintains a database of contact information and profiles of government role-players and arranging access to government officials.