By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
Cabinet has directed all government ministries, departments, agencies and local governments to align their communication strategies with the National Communication Policy 2026, so as to improve the coordination and delivery of official information to the public.
The policy was adopted by Cabinet on March 9, 2026, and requires government institutions to integrate communication into the planning, implementation and review of their programmes and projects.
While addressing the media at Uganda Media Center in Kampala on October 13, 2026, the Minister for Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba said the policy is intended to ensure that citizens better understand government programmes, access public services and participate in decisions that affect them.
She reiterated that her ministry will oversee the implementation, coordinate communication across government institutions, set standards and monitor compliance with the policy.
She further said that her ministry will make a follow up on Cabinet decisions relating to government communication and administer the scheme of service governing the work and career development of government communication officers.
Under the new framework, each government institution will remain responsible for communicating its programmes and preparing information for the public. Institutions will also be expected to translate or adapt messages to suit the needs of their respective audiences.
A secretariat within the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance will coordinate the participating institutions.
Minister Kasule Lumumba revealed that the policy was developed through consultations with public and private sector stakeholders, including the Cabinet Secretariat, government institutions, communication professionals and the Communication and National Guidance Advisory Taskforce.
Its implementation is expected to support the priorities of the National Resistance Movement Government Manifesto 2026-2031 and the Fourth National Development Plan 2025-2030.
The ministry said implementation would begin immediately, starting with sensitisation sessions to help government institutions understand the policy and incorporate its requirements into their daily operations.
