The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Manager for the Western Region, Aggrey Barusya, has called on communication officers (COs) across the region to meaningfully communicate issues that promote human security and uphold freedom of expression in their communities.

Speaking at the close of a two-day workshop for communication officers in Mbarara City on Thursday, April 17, 2025, Barusya emphasized that effective communication must be based on knowledge and purpose.

“As a communicator, you cannot communicate what you don’t know. It is essential that we communicate meaningfully, with the goal of transforming our communities,” Barusya said.

Barusya challenged COs to help communities understand and embrace the different aspects of human security, including economic, health, food, and environmental security.

He posed critical questions on the role of COs in promoting economic awareness and combating insecurity: “Can people in our districts access sufficient and nutritious food? What happens when there is no food security?” He warned that such gaps lead to broader insecurity.

Barusya added that human security cannot be achieved through state security alone, urging COs to support socio-economic transformation through awareness campaigns and community engagement.

“If state security is in place but people are economically insecure, are they truly secure? With economic security, a person can take good care of themselves and others,” he said.

He also called for closer collaboration between COs, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), stating that communicators play a pivotal role in advancing peace and stability at the grassroots level.

Barusya highlighted the military’s contribution to human security noting that civil-military relations are crucial.

“The military has helped build schools, hospitals, and roads. This is reinforcement of human security, not just national defense.”

The second major focus of the workshop was Freedom of Expression, a right guaranteed under Article 29 of Uganda’s Constitution.

Barusya urged COs to responsibly exercise their freedom to express, write, and speak, noting that these right forms the bedrock of a healthy democratic society.

“Where there is no freedom of expression, democracy is suffocated. And where there is no democracy, anarchy emerges,” he cautioned.

He commended the government for upholding the right to freedom of expression, but emphasized that it must be practiced in line with public interest. Barusya also reminded journalists of the limitations under Article 43, which restricts actions that infringe on the rights of others or compromise national security.

He warned against the misuse of digital platforms and called for adherence to ethical standards.

Barusya further encouraged COs to take their roles seriously and fully participate in media activities, criticizing a growing trend of excuses for missing engagements like talk shows.

The workshop concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between COs and security agencies to build resilient and secure communities across the region.