Government has announced a wide-ranging reshuffle of Public Relations Officers (PROs) across its ministries, departments, and agencies, a move designed to inject new energy, broaden perspectives, and enhance communication efficiency within the public service.
The reshuffle is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), following President Yoweri Museveni’s 2023 directive that emphasized the importance of mobility for long-serving civil servants.
Officials say the redeployments are not just routine transfers but part of a broader reform strategy aimed at improving responsiveness and accountability in government communication.
The reform momentum began in July 2024, when the Ministry organized a high-level training workshop at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications in Nakawa, Kampala.
The session was led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Amina Zawede, and was attended by over 100 government communicators drawn from different institutions.
The training focused on equipping the participants with advanced skills in information management, media relations, and digital dissemination, skills that are considered critical as Uganda heads into the election season beginning in September.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Zawede made it clear that the reshuffles were not optional, stressing that all communicators fall under the Ministry of ICT.
“Under the public service standing orders, all government communicators will be deployed and supervised by the Ministry of ICT. No communicator should be surprised when reshuffles are announced,” she said.
Her call emphasized that civil servants should embrace the reshuffles not as punishment, but as an opportunity for growth, innovation, and service to new constituencies.
In August 2024, the Ministry of ICT rolled out the new deployments.
Among the transfers, Jesse Ofwoni moved from the Ministry of ICT to the Ministry of Agriculture, where he is expected to inject fresh energy into agricultural communication strategies.
Similarly, Daisy Nakandi, who was previously serving at the Uganda Lands Commission, has now joined the ICT Ministry, bringing with her a wealth of experience in land and property issues.
Gladys Kajura was moved from Agriculture to Mulago Referral Hospital as PRO, a shift that observers say will strengthen communication in the health sector.
In addition, Simon Peter Jamba was deployed from the Judiciary to Mulago Specialized Hospital to bolster outreach efforts in specialized healthcare communication.
The reshuffle has also seen Pius Mwinganisa designated to join the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Officials argue that such cross-deployment encourages skill-sharing and prevents stagnation among government communicators.
One senior ICT official explained the motivation behind the reshuffles, stating: “Some PROs have been in their roles for years, building comfort, but these shifts open doors to broader impact—think of the vibrant ideas they’ll bring to new horizons like agriculture or health.”
Despite the positive framing, the process has not been without resistance.
Reports indicate that a few PROs expressed reluctance to take up their new assignments, with one communication officer saying, “The ministry is undergoing exciting integrations… we’re still recruiting and building stronger teams.”
Such resistance has been described by insiders as “teething problems,” which the Ministry believes will be overcome as the officers adjust to their new roles.
The ICT Ministry maintains that the reshuffles are in line with public service standing orders and are part of cultivating a culture of accountability, flexibility, and high performance.
Observers say the initiative has already begun to yield results, including sharper press releases, more proactive public engagement, and stronger visibility for government programs.
Dr. Zawede continues to rally officers to embrace the deployments as a step toward a more agile and dynamic public service.
Her leadership has been praised as forward-thinking, especially at a time when government institutions are under pressure to communicate effectively in a fast-changing information landscape.
President Museveni’s earlier call for reforms in public service mobility is seen to be bearing fruit through this reshuffle exercise.
The President’s vision, analysts note, is to ensure that civil servants do not become entrenched in one ministry for too long but are instead exposed to different environments that challenge them to grow professionally.
As the reshuffled PROs settle into their new offices, Ugandans expect improved communication on key issues ranging from agriculture and land to healthcare and infrastructure.
The government hopes that by strengthening its communication teams, it will be better positioned to explain policies, engage citizens, and build trust ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In the spirit of unity and service, every redeployment is being presented not just as an administrative adjustment but as part of a bigger national story of adaptability and progress.
