President Yoweri Museveni has strongly voiced irritation at the apparent negativity and meanness directed at his government by the media while favouring opposition propaganda. In a cabinet sitting on Monday which he chaired, Museveni had no kind words while expressing his bitterness and is likely to do something about it, according to sources.
Influential media platforms have of late been hard on government by airing content deemed harmful to interests of the establishment through uncensored and front page coverage, something that has created palpable tension in the country. It is to be noted that Museveni has, at several times during his presidency, had running battles with the press which he accuses of obscurantism and working for enemies of Uganda.
Looking back at the recent past, at the time of the “age limit” amendment, the media ganged up against Museveni, twinning up with the land amendment which most government officials failed and feared to defend due to its sensitivity. Museveni was forced to personally address the matter by going on radio countrywide to defend government’s position. The amendment has since been shelved but the combination of public rage over the land and age limit matters left government in a tight spot.
To counter the problem, Museveni, a man known never to take a defeat lying down, swung into action like a guerilla commander. He created special teams to manage government and NRM media relations besides the official ones. That involved summoning trusted cadres to decide on the way forward. On 30th July 2019, the man from Rwakitura summoned a close-knit group of communicators and managers of government public relations for a meeting at State House. The group composed of ministers among whom was David Bahati (Minister of State for Planning and MP Ndorwa West), Evelyn Anite (Minister of State for Investment and MP Koboko Municipality). Other attendees were Raphael Magyezi (MP Igara West) who tabled the age limit amendment, Awel Uwihanganye, Ofwono Opondo (Government spokersman), Linda Nabusayi (deputy Presidential Press Secretary and others.
In the meeting, Museveni reportedly lectured the team on the art of serious media management to counter opposition propaganda which was putting the country on tension. Museveni decided to manage his public relations himself using two strategies; one, he directed Uwihanganye to work under Ofwono Opondo in the ICT ministry to ensure that government programmes get publicity, including on social media. The result was the creation of the Government-citizen interaction centre where Duncan Abigaba, a hitherto aide to Minister Frank Tumwebaze, was appointed to assist Uwihanganye. Other communicators were recruited and posted to man the centre based at Social Security house in Kampala, where the ICT ministry has its headquarters.
On the other hand, Museveni zeroed on Kirunda Faruk, an aide at State House, to manage publicity for the NRM in print, electronic and social media based at Kyambogo where Museveni’s NRM office as National Chairman is situated. In that role, Kirunda was to liaise with a cadreship of media analysts and commentators and secure for them space and time in the media countrywide. The two-pronged strategy succeeded in neutralizing the opposition onslaught which had gained momentum riding on the controversial Bills on table.
On top of that, Linda and her boss, Don Wanyama, have been credited for using their unit to file stories covering Museveni’s activities on time and to all media contacts. The two are laid back but regarded as highly effective specialists who both worked in the newsroom before being tapped by the state.
To improve all round effectiveness, all government communicators are to be merged under the ICT ministry for ease of co-ordination and access to information. Cabinet debated the matter and passed it recently.
Meanwhile, Mulengera news has learnt that to further cement his media presence and to set an example for officials, Museveni is slated to go on a countrywide media drive in May and June to explain government programmes and promote the image of NRM at a time when the political atmosphere is heating up. (For comments, email us at mulengera2040@gmail.com).
