The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has launched a five-day training in Jinja aimed at sharpening the skills of communication officers to counter information threats and build public confidence in national institutions.
The workshop on Strategic Communication and Defence Engagement is taking place at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability headquarters. It brings together Public Information Officers from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, and other security agencies.
Opening the training, Col Allan Kitanda, the UPDF Director of Strategic Communication, said information management has become central to national stability.
“Uganda is a country where any piece of information becomes news. Therefore, as information and communication experts, it is essential to understand how information is managed to maintain a stable nation. The stability of any country depends on how well it manages its information,” Col Kitanda said.
He urged participants to embrace critical thinking, strengthen crisis management skills, and ensure institutions bridge gaps between the public and government.
“As critical information agents, it is your responsibility to bridge the information gap at all times. This will help build confidence and trust with the public, which ultimately promotes stability and statehood,” he added.
Col Kitanda also warned against misinformation campaigns designed to discredit institutions, saying communication strategies must be reinforced to safeguard credibility.
Counsel Mary Mutesi, who also addressed the participants, stressed the role of communication officers in maintaining legitimacy.
“Building resilience within your institution is crucial for promoting national stability and trust, which should be the primary focus for any communication officer,” she said.
The training will run for five days and will focus on equipping officers with the skills needed to counter disinformation, strengthen institutional resilience, and promote public trust in security agencies.
