Museveni forms new govt communications team

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has appointed veteran journalist Simon Kaheru as head of the newly formed National Strategic Communications Committee (NSCC).

NSCC, which is composed of the public and private sectors, is tasked with co-ordinating and centralising all government communication to promote a more accurate and unified national image.

It was commissioned at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on May 13, 2025, by ICT state minister Joyce Ssebugwawo on behalf of information minister Chris Baryomunsi.

“The media plays a critical role in shaping how Uganda is perceived both locally and internationally,” Ssebugwawo said before commissioning the committee by waving the national flag.

This is according to a statement by Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID)communications officer Rowland Nkahebwa.

PACEID chairperson and senior presidential advisor on special duties Odrek Rwabwogo stressed that much of the negativity in the media stems from fragmented departmental messaging and a lack of shared national purpose.

“Without a collective vision, we will continue to shoot blanks as a country,” he warned.

Marcella Karekye, the director of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre, presented a paper on the “Persistent Misreporting That Affects the Image of Uganda and Its Exports”.

She said, “Every country has problems, but you don’t find them on the front page every day. We need to look out for the good things and publish them.”

When contacted on Friday (May 16), Kaheru told New Vision Online that he couldn’t speak on the phone and asked us to text him via WhatsApp.

However, by the time of writing this story, he had not yet responded to our WhatsApp messages about his appointment and what Ugandans should expect.

Simon Kaheru

1. Col Edith Nakalema, the head of State House Investors Protection Unit,
   
   
2. Doreen Katusiime, tourism ministry permanent secretary
   
   
3. Dr. Amina Zawedde, ICT ministry permanent secretary
   
   
4. Lynette Bagonza, trade ministry permanent secretary
   
   
5. Ofwono Opondo, former Uganda Media Centre executive director
   
   
6. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General Health Services at the ministry of health
   
   
7. Sandor Walusimbi, senior presidential press secretary
   
   
8. Rusoke Kituuma, Police spokesperson
   
   
9. Margaret Kafeero, head of foreign affairs ministry department of public diplomacy
   
   
10. Marcella Karekye, director of Government Citizen Interaction Centre
    
    
11. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, health ministry spokesperson
    
    
12. Cleopas Ndorere, trade ministry commissioner for external trade
    
    
13. Allan Mugisha, entrepreneur and farmer
    
    
14. Amos Wekesa, chief executive officer of Great Lakes Safaris Ltd
    
    
15. Charlotte Kemigyisha, agriculture ministry spokesperson.