KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda’s top government agency chiefs have demanded a unified national strategy to revolutionize how the government communicates its achievements and engages with the youth, calling it a critical step to accelerate development.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The demand was made on Tuesday August 26 2025 during a follow-up meeting convened by the Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit SHIPU, Col. Edith Nakalema, with a cohort of leaders from pivotal government agencies.
The primary objective of the gathering was to foster deeper collaboration and synchronize strategies aimed at accelerating Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of key figures, including the Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics UBOS, Dr. Chris Mukiza; the Managing Director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation NWSC, Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha; and the Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Professor Bruce Kirenga.
Other attendees included the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority ERA, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako; the Executive Director of the Uganda Development Corporation UDC, Dr. Patrick Birungi; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Housing and Construction Company NHCC, Eng. Godfrey Kaijuka; and Mr. Osborn Turyasingura from the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups.
Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha of NWSC pointed out that while strategies exist across various plans, their potential has not been fully maximized.He specifically highlighted the influential power of youth, noting their strong social media capacity as a tool for inspiring and influencing one another positively.
Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority NEMA, argued that while the government has accomplished a great deal through its institutions, the principal challenge lies in how these achievements are packaged and communicated.
He appealed for greater efforts to engage youth directly, listen to their concerns, and involve them in crafting solutions to their problems.
Mr. Osborn Turyasingura from the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups reinforced this view, stating there is a critical need to capture the total attention of the youth.
Drawing from his interactions with young people, he suggested organizing them through sports and entertainment, while also encouraging their participation in financial support organizations like the Parish Development Model PDM.
Mr. Robert Mugabe, a Commissioner for Intellectual Property at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau URSB, added that numerous government programs already exist that cover a wide range of groups, including vulnerable populations, and these can be effectively used to foster a necessary mindset change among the youth.
On the subject of strategic communication, Dr. Patrick Birungi of UDC observed that a clear need exists to lay out strategies for effectively informing the public about the government’s numerous accomplishments, which often go unrecognized.
Dr. Ezra Muhumuza of the Uganda Manufacturers Association UMA advocated for the use of established teams like the publicly recognized Presidential Advisory Committee on Budget PACOB to promote a unified front instead of working in isolation.
Eng. Godfrey Kaijuka of NHCC proposed creating opportunities to invite fellow CEOs to discuss relevant topics, which would serve to enlighten the public on government activities and highlight successes.
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako of the ERA asserted that as the government’s mouthpiece, agencies must develop a dedicated platform and standardize how information is delivered to effectively convey their achievements to the public.
Dr. Chris Mukiza of UBOS framed the role of the agency leaders in a defensive context, highlighting that a key function of CEOs should be to focus on countering distortions and negative information promoted by detractors with factual and positive narratives.
In conclusion, Col. Nakalema expressed her gratitude to the agency leaders for their steadfast leadership and dedication to national service.
She emphasized that SHIPU’s core mandate is to coordinate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and she appealed to those present to fully leverage this exclusive platform.
The meeting solidified a shared commitment to work in a more integrated manner to ensure the public is better informed and engaged in the nation’s development journey.
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