M7 Press Secretary Faruk Kirunda Warns Government Officials: Ignore Social Media at Your Own Peril

By Ben Musanje

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Deputy Press Secretary, Faruk Kirunda, has cautioned government officials against ignoring presidential communication issued through social media, arguing that such platforms have become important channels for issuing directives, providing guidance and monitoring government performance.

Kirunda made the remarks in a post on his X account while commenting on revelations by retired General Caleb Akandwanaho, commonly known as Salim Saleh, that he initiated contact with detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye after receiving a social media message from Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

According to Kirunda, Saleh’s account demonstrates the growing influence of real-time communication through social media, particularly when messages are directed to officials with the responsibility and authority to act.

He observed that disciplined officers who have maintained a commitment to public service and the country’s leadership should treat substantive communication with the seriousness it deserves, regardless of whether it comes through conventional official channels or social media.

“Gen. Saleh’s revelation that he commenced plans for dialogue with Dr. Kizza Besigye after reading an X post by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba directing or suggesting the idea to him tells of the power of on-spot communication using social media,” Kirunda wrote.

The presidential aide went further to express concern over what he described as a pattern of some heads of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) failing to implement directives issued by President Museveni simply because the same emerges through social media channels.

Kirunda said he had witnessed several presidential instructions, both written and verbal, being disregarded by government officials, warning that such conduct undermines effective administration and accountability.

“I have seen many directives of H.E @KagutaMuseveni (both written and verbal) ignored by MDAs yet doing so is a crime,” he stated.

He characterized the failure to act on presidential guidance as a matter requiring serious administrative attention, arguing that government officials should not use the communication channel through which a directive is delivered as an excuse for failing to implement it.

According to Kirunda, an X post from the President carries considerable weight and urgency and should be taken seriously by focused public officials, in exactly the same way as formal government communication.

He also cited United States President Donald Trump, who frequently uses his Truth Social platform to communicate executive orders, policy positions and instructions, as an example of how social media has become part of modern presidential communication.

Kirunda argued that the public visibility of such communications makes it easier for citizens to follow government commitments and assess whether responsible institutions are acting on them or not. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).