The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) of Mityana, Prossy Muwanguzi, has called on government communication officers from the Wamala and Greater Luweero regions to actively promote government achievements and uphold integrity in their work, warning that poor communication can endanger national stability, especially as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.

Speaking at a retreat held at Enro Hotel in Mityana, Muwanguzi emphasized the vital role communication officers play in shaping public perception and promoting national unity.

“Factual and responsible communication is not just important; it is a national security issue,” Muwanguzi said.

“If you fail to do your job with integrity and accuracy, you risk misleading the public becoming no different from politicians who distort the truth in pursuit of political gain,” she added.

Addressing the media after opening the retreat, Muwanguzi acknowledged that while the government has made significant progress, opposition politicians have also achieved a lot in making noise and deviating the public from nation building.

The retreat, held on July 7, 2025, brought together participants from the Internal Security Organization (ISO), the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC). The goal was to strengthen collaboration, tackle existing communication challenges, and align strategies to counter misinformation both nationally and at the grassroots level.

The event also aimed to close the gap between how government programs are carried out in local communities and how they are communicated to the public so that people can be better informed and more involved.

Muwanguzi urged communication officers to actively share government successes and challenge misleading opposition narratives with clarity and truth. She warned that communication failures, especially during politically charged periods, could be exploited to destabilize the country.

This retreat is part of a broader initiative previously organized by ISO, the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance (ICT&NG), GCIC, and the Government Communicators Forum (GCOF), with similar engagements held in Moroto, West Nile, Masaka, and Ankole. The initiative aims to enhance strategic communication across government structures, particularly at the grassroots level.

A representative from ISO echoed Muwanguzi’s concerns, noting that poor communication creates space for internal threats.

“Properly communicating Uganda’s security situation can attract investment and tourism,” he said. “Silence gives room for negative narratives to thrive.”

Participants at the event acknowledged that despite progress in key sectors, much of the government’s success remains unreported due to weak communication efforts.

“We are facing a communication crisis,” a communication officer from Nakaseke said.

“The achievements are there, but people do not know about them, partly because the opposition chooses to spotlight only the negative news to score political points,” he added.

Robert Sharp Mugabe from GCIC urged government communicators to adopt more effective communication strategies.

“We need to communicate in ways that are timely, engaging, and strategic,” he said. “We must proactively define our role in shaping public perception.”

This engagement is part of an ongoing series of retreats organized by ISO, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, GCIC, and GCOF.

Similar events have been held in Karamoja, Teso, West Nile, and Mbarara, all with the goal of strengthening grassroots communication to promote government programs, showcase development achievements, and position Uganda as a destination for investment and tourism.