ICT Ministry presents policy to streamline government communications
According to a statement released by the ministry, in some cases, officials criticize one another and as a result, public confidence in government communications is lost, creating a gap filled by alternative media sources and fake news.
Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has presented the final draft of the National Communications Guidance Policy which has been developed to eliminate uncoordinated communications by the government.
This, the ministry said, has been a significant challenge that has resulted in a substantial population to lost trust in what government says.
According to a statement released by the ministry, in some cases, officials criticize one another and as a result, public confidence in government communications is lost, creating a gap filled by alternative media sources and fake news.
The Policy will additionally reduce delayed communication by the government due to the absence of a mechanism to quickly reach a common position by the responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies for Local Governments to communicate this position accurately and timely.
According to the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Amina Zawedde, the developed National Communications Policy seeks to ensure effective communication, especially as Uganda implements critical national, regional and global plans, programmes and policies to improve the quality of people’s lives.
“I thank the National Taskforce on Communications and National Guidance. It has been a busy 10 months for them and we can see the fruits. We shall now have these documents and submit them to Cabinet for approval. Once approved, the policies will anchor all government efforts that relate to Government communications and National Guidance,” Dr Zawedde said.
Maj Gen. Sam Kavuuma, the Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, said: “We live in an era of advancements and technology; humans are developing intelligence to unimaginable extents up to the creation of artificial intelligence, but at the same time we might be losing touch with emotions like compassion which are the very essence of humanity,”
Led by Dr Arthur Sserwanga, and deputized by Marcella Karekye, the Government Communications & National Guidance Taskforce was formed to guide the Ministry of Information Communication Technology to ensure that government communications are consistent, relevant and understandable.
