The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has given laptops to 176 District Communication Officers to improve the flow of government information at the grassroots.
The handover took place in Kampala and was led by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Aminah Zawedde.
The support targets communication officers in districts, municipalities and cities. Government says the goal is to strengthen coordination and ensure communities receive clear and timely information about public programmes.
Dr Zawedde said effective communication is now central to governance, service delivery and accountability. She noted that government wants officers at local level to clearly explain policies, projects and interventions to the people they serve.
She said many officers have worked for years with limited tools. Most relied on press releases and newspapers, even as public communication moved online.
Dr Zawedde added that citizens now expect quick updates through platforms such as WhatsApp, X, TikTok and other social media channels. These platforms allow direct engagement and improve transparency.
She said government has made visible progress across the country, including building schools, upgrading roads and health facilities, setting up computer labs and rolling out community programmes. However, many of these efforts are not well communicated at local level.
The laptops will help officers document government work, package evidence and share accurate information with communities.
The Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary, Mr Ben Kumumanya, urged officers to act professionally and responsibly. He asked them to support socio-economic transformation by clearly telling government’s story.
One of the beneficiaries, Butambala District Communication Officer Mariam Nalubwama, welcomed the support. She said the laptop would greatly improve her work.
Dr Zawedde reminded officers that equipment alone is not enough. She urged them to plan well, respond on time and actively counter misinformation using verified facts.
She said the initiative supports the Universal Digital Acceleration agenda, which promotes transparency, accountability and citizen-centred governance.
