The Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Arua, Judith Bako, has called for stronger collaboration between Government communicators and security agencies to enhance communication and counter disinformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at a high-level workshop convened by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) at Desert Breeze Hotel in Arua on Thursday, Bako urged government communicators to ensure that the public receives timely and accurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommunication officers must take the responsibility of updating the public on what is happening in the region. For example, the Arua City website should always be updated to ensure transparency and accessibility of information,\u201d Bako emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also commended the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) for its role in government communication, particularly through the provision of free airtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs communicators, you should take advantage of this platform to provide updates on development projects and government initiatives,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bako further stressed the importance of equipping government communicators with the necessary skills to handle misinformation effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to train our communication officers to verify and counter fake news with facts. A well-informed public is key to our region\u2019s growth and security,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also expressed dissatisfaction with the many government websites that are not updated with current information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said this denies the public critical information needed to make key decisions within government and the public sectors, especially for investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWebsites are the first places investors visit when they want information about particular entities. That\u2019s why it is important to have them updated regularly,\u201d Bako emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The workshop, part of ISO\u2019s ongoing efforts to streamline government communication, brought together security officers and government communicators from the West Nile Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar sessions have already been held in Karamoja and Teso, with a focus on combating propaganda and ensuring that official information reaches the public unfiltered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maj. Edmund Turyatunga, the Director of Media at ISO, underscored the need for effective communication to showcase the transformation taking place in West Nile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWest Nile has tremendously changed. How do we appreciate this transformation, and how can we communicate it effectively? Communicators play a crucial role in informing the public about the security and development happening in the region,\u201d Turyatunga said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arua City\u2019s Town Clerk, David Kyasanku, highlighted the direct link between security and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArua welcomes everyone for business because the place is secure, thanks to the teamwork of various stakeholders. We are in a world of media blasts where controlling the media is difficult, but working together ensures that the right information is disseminated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kyasanku further noted that over UGX 100 billion has been invested in Arua, a testament to the conducive environment created by collaborative security efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President of the Government Communicator’s Forum, who also doubles as the Head of Communications at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Mr. Frank Mugabi, commended ISO and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance for their efforts in harmonizing government communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted that significant progress has been made since these engagements began in Karamoja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo date, we have weekly publications managed by District Communication Officers in Karamoja and Teso. These publications provide information on key activities occurring in these areas. This has strengthened the relevance of communication officers and improved collaboration between district technical officers to effectively communicate government programs. This was never the case before,\u201d Mugabi noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that the advent of social media has led to an increase in the proliferation of misinformation, which indiscriminately affects socio-economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key focus of the workshop was addressing the growing challenge of disinformation and propaganda, which have tarnished Uganda\u2019s image locally and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants discussed strategies to counter false narratives by proactively sharing verified and factual information through multiple media channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the rise of social media, speakers emphasized the importance of government communicators engaging the public proactively, ensuring that misinformation is tackled before it spreads widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similar workshops are planned for the Western and Central regions. Maj. Edmund noted that the success of these initiatives will not only improve Uganda\u2019s global image but also build trust and confidence among citizens in government institutions and their efforts to maintain peace, security, and development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Arua, Judith Bako, has called for stronger collaboration between Government communicators and security agencies to enhance communication and counter disinformation. Speaking at a high-level workshop convened by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) at Desert Breeze Hotel in Arua on Thursday, Bako urged government communicators to ensure that the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27983,"featured_media":39411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[31,119],"class_list":["post-39410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-featured","tag-uganda-news"],"yoast_head":"\n