The Assistant Commissioner of Police and Uganda Police Force spokesperson, ACP Rusoke Kituuma, has urged police officers in the Savannah Region to embrace effective communication as a key policing tool, saying it is essential for improving service delivery and strengthening public trust in the age of social media.
Kituuma made the remarks while addressing more than 185 police officers from Luweero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts during a communication capacity-building session at Luweero Central Police Station.
The training focused on improving internal communication within the Uganda Police Force, enhancing engagement with the media and strengthening relations between the police and the communities they serve.
Kituuma said communication should no longer be viewed as merely an administrative function but as a critical component of modern policing.
“Communication is an operational tool. Every police officer must understand how to communicate effectively with fellow officers, the media and the public. This helps us build trust, improve service delivery and respond to today’s fast-changing communication environment driven by social media,” he said.
He urged officers responsible for public communication to provide timely, accurate and factual information, warning that silence creates room for misinformation.
“When police fail to communicate, other people will fill the information gap with speculation and falsehoods. That affects the credibility of the institution. We must always ensure the public receives factual and timely information,” Kituuma said.
He also called for stronger partnerships between the police and communities, saying public cooperation is essential in preventing and investigating crime.
“Our goal is to build a strong bridge between the police and the communities we serve so that people feel free to report crime and share information that can help keep their areas safe,” he said.
The training forms part of the Uganda Police Force's broader efforts to strengthen communication across its ranks and enhance public confidence through transparency, accountability and effective information sharing as digital and social media continue to shape public discourse.
