The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in collaboration with MultiChoice Africa Holdings—represented locally by MultiChoice Uganda—has launched a specialised Media and Communications training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of Government Communications Officers across Uganda.
The initiative, officially launched at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, is part of the broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry and MultiChoice in May 2024. The MoU aims to promote digital literacy, responsible communication, and local capacity building in Uganda’s communications ecosystem.
The training programme will run in two cohorts: July 7–8 and July 9–10, 2025, targeting 200 government spokespersons and public communicators. It is designed to enhance participants’ skills in key areas, including crisis communication and management, localisation of government messaging, visual media production, event storytelling, and platform optimisation.
As digital platforms increasingly shape public discourse, the role of professional communicators in government has become more essential than ever. Dr. Zawedde emphasised the importance of equipping government officers with modern communication tools and techniques.
“Our government spokespersons must be empowered with the right skills to communicate effectively, especially in this era of digital transformation,” Dr Zawedde said. “This training is a major step toward building public trust and ensuring government communication is impactful and professional.”
She commended MultiChoice Uganda for its continued partnership with the Ministry, describing it as a strong example of effective 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.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Hassan Saleh, Managing Director of MultiChoice Uganda, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting government communication efforts.
“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 the professionals who serve as the voice of government—especially in critical sectors such as health, education, and tourism,” he said.
The training comes at a time when both traditional and digital media platforms are central to how citizens access information. It reflects a shared vision between the Ministry and MultiChoice to promote credible, timely, and compelling storytelling in the public sector.
Moses Watasa, Commissioner for Communication, Information, and Dissemination at the Ministry, highlighted the evolving nature of the communications landscape and the need for government communicators to stay ahead of these changes. “The environment in which we communicate has changed drastically. This training is about equipping our officers with the tools to stay relevant and effective in this dynamic space,” Watasa noted.
Rinaldi Jamugisa, PR and Communications Manager at MultiChoice Uganda added that the training programme aligns with the broader objectives of the MoU signed in 2024, which includes support for Uganda’s local content industry, promotion of intellectual property rights and anti-piracy awareness, digital skills development, and sector-wide policy reform.
“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,” Jamugisa said.
This initiative marks another milestone in the Ministry’s mission to promote strategic, coordinated, and digitally enabled public communication, while building the next generation of professional government communicators.
