Government Concedes Communication Failures with the Public

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1433 EAT on Friday 12 September 2025

Government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have conceded that greater efforts are required to effectively publicise their work and communicate key achievements to the public.

A consensus on the need for improved public communication was reached during the fourth meeting of leaders of government agencies, held at the State House Investors’ Protection Unit (SHIPU) offices in Kampala. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

Willis Bashaasha, Director of the Manifesto Implementation Unit, highlighted the communication gap, noting that many Ugandans remain unaware of significant national projects — including the newly established Kabaale International Airport.

He called on government agencies to invest more resources in public communication, ensuring that achievements and development initiatives are effectively disseminated in local languages, particularly in underserved regions such as West Nile and Rwenzori.

Government agencies should allocate a greater portion of their budgets to communication efforts aimed at publicising achievements in all widely spoken local languages, according to Willis Bashaasha, Director of the Manifesto Implementation Unit.

The proposal was warmly received by agency leaders, who agreed on the need for a more inclusive and targeted communication strategy to effectively reach Ugandans across different dialects, age groups, and regions.

Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), stressed the importance of testimonial storytelling, recommending that agencies feature real-life beneficiaries of government projects to build public trust and engagement.

He also urged agencies to leverage digital platforms and social media influencers to broaden their reach, while customising messages for key segments of the population, including elites, youth, children, women, and farmers.

Uganda’s ongoing oil and gas projects have created thousands of jobs and continue to stimulate economic activity across various sectors, according to a report by The Observer. The projects have so far generated:

17,000 direct jobs, with 63% held by Ugandans in management roles, 93% in technical positions, and 98% in support functions

35,000 indirect jobs through related services and supply chains

100,000 induced jobs in surrounding industries and communities

Osborn Turyasingura, Secretary at the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups and a KCCA Urban Division Councillor, urged for more inclusive youth engagement in these developments.

> “How do we engage universities, women, and youth structures from the village up to the national level?” he asked.

Mercy Kainobwisho, Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), praised the progress being made in the petroleum sector, noting its growing impact on regional development. She also announced that URSB has opened a new office in Hoima, which is already performing strongly and serving a key role in supporting business registration and formalisation in the oil-rich region.

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