The Internal Security Organization (ISO) in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and the Government Citizens Interaction Centre (GCIC) under State House, have successfully concluded a two-day retreat for the District Communication Officers (DCOs) and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) in Southwestern Uganda.
The retreat which took place from 16/4/2025 to 17/4/2025 at DreamWood Hotel in Mbarara City, aimed to strengthen collaboration between communication officers and District Internal Security Officers to ensure the effective dissemination of government information and the promotion of government programs.

The retreat was officially opened by Lt Col. (Rtd.) James Mwesigye, Commissioner for the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Western Region, who emphasized the importance of synergy between DISOs and communication officers. He noted that many government programs remain unknown to the public and urged the participants to bridge that information gap. Mwesigye commended ISO for initiating the partnership.

Maj. Edmund Turyantunga, the director of mass media at ISO and the lead facilitator of the retreat, encouraged officers to collaborate closely in order to counter misinformation and promote strategic communication through the use of modern technology. He assured participants that ISO is committed to supporting their work in the field.
The retreat also featured training sessions by ISO media staff, focusing on the benefits of effective government communication as well as the importance of networking and collaboration.

Robert Mugabe Sharp, the deputy director of the Government Citizens Interaction Centre (GCIC), led a practical session on content creation, stressing the need for communication officers to produce content that resonates with local communities while aligning with national development goals. He emphasized the use of modern and deliberate communication methods to improve public engagement.

Representing the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Jesse Ofwoni, the Senior Communications Officer, encouraged participants to make full use of digital platforms in their communication strategies, adding that this will promote government programs that are not known.

Aggrey Barusya, the manager of UBC West who was also a guest speaker, also addressed the retreat, urging communication officers to adhere to professional communication ethics and to equip themselves with legal knowledge to enhance their effectiveness.

This initiative to organize district communication officers across Uganda is part of a broader national communication strategy which began in Karamoja, expanded to Teso and West Nile and is now being implemented in Western Uganda.
Tinyefuza Naboth
Communications officer Kazo district