The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have concluded a five-day Strategic Communication and Defence Engagement training in Jinja, designed to enhance the capacity of Public Information Officers across Uganda’s security sector.
The course, which began on Monday, brought together officers from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force (UPF), the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA), and other security agencies.
It focused on improving participants’ skills in effective communication, countering misinformation, and reinforcing trust between security institutions and the public.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Brigadier General Earnest Nuwagaba, Commander of the Headquarters Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (URDC), urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired to their daily duties.
“Operating within the legal framework is paramount while carrying out your duties. This training has unveiled the realities of your responsibilities, including the ongoing challenges posed by misinformation, which you encounter regularly,” Brig Gen Nuwagaba said.
He commended facilitators from MoDVA and partner institutions for their expertise and thanked the UPDF leadership for its continued commitment to professionalizing and equipping communication officers across the security sector.
Colonel Allan Kitanda, Head of Strategic Communication and Defence Engagement in the UPDF, also hailed the program’s success.
He applauded the UPDF leadership for supporting the initiative and expressed appreciation to Brig Gen Nuwagaba for facilitating the course.
“This training has been critical in achieving its objectives. It has prepared officers for their constitutional duties and strengthened their capacity to handle communication challenges with professionalism. As you return to your assignments, I encourage you to remain proactive,” Col Kitanda said.
The training is part of the UPDF’s ongoing efforts to promote professionalism, enhance strategic communication, and strengthen coordination across Uganda’s security institutions.