What you need to know:
- During a meeting at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi with government communicators led by his son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo, who chairs the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Museveni voiced concerns over what he termed as ‘irresponsible media coverage’ impacting Uganda’s development and international reputation.
- The meeting concluded with a commitment to regular cabinet discussions on Uganda’s global perception and the development of a unified communication strategy to attract and retain investors.
President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to take firm action against Ugandan media to safeguard both the country’s economic progress and democratic principles. During a meeting at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi with government communicators led by his son-in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo, who chairs the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), Museveni voiced concerns over what he termed as ‘irresponsible media coverage’ impacting Uganda’s development and international reputation.
He criticized the media for allegedly distorting facts and creating harmful narratives, citing a 1989 incident during his efforts to commercialize milk production in Uganda’s cattle corridor. Museveni recalled the initiative aimed at integrating traditional pastoralists into the monetary economy through increased milk production. Despite efforts to diversify milk products and attract foreign investment, a misleading headline claiming “Uganda sells Uganda Dairy Corporation for $1” led to public outcry and deterred potential investors.
Museveni emphasized the long-term detrimental effects of such journalism on the economy, expressing support for the formation of a committee to address these issues. Rwabwogo echoed these concerns, highlighting efforts over the past 18 months to improve Uganda’s international image through strategic media engagements, which have been undermined by negative local media coverage.
To counteract this, Rwabwogo proposed centralizing government communications, enhancing daily research, and ensuring swift responses to negative news. He stressed the importance of coaching public officials in international communication practices to mitigate damage caused by irresponsible reporting. The meeting concluded with a commitment to regular cabinet discussions on Uganda’s global perception and the development of a unified communication strategy to attract and retain investors.
Attendees included Col Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Marcella Karekye, special presidential assistant in charge of communications, and a host of other government officials and stakeholders.
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