Tumwebaze faults ministries for inaccurate media reports
Nov 25, 2016
He said ministries should stop attacking the media for reporting wrongly because they have failed to give the right information
The ICT and National Guidance minister, Frank Tuwebaze has blamed government departments for the alleged inaccurate reporting within the media.
He said the ministries should stop attacking the media for reporting wrongly because they have failed to give the right information.
"We are going to engage all Permanent Secretaries to have professional people who can always engage the media with what is happening. Why do you fight the media if you don't give them information?" he asked.
Tumwebaze was speaking at the ceremony where the former permanent secretary, Jimmy Pat Samanya was handing over to his predecessor Vincent Waiswa Bagire at the ministry's offices in Kampala.
The event was witnessed by John Mitala (head of public service), Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi (Uganda Communication Commission boss), David Turahi (Director Information Technology and Management Services), and Simon Kaheru (Uganda Broadcasting Corporation board chairman) among others.
Incoming permanent secretary Vincent Waiswa Bagiire (L) is congratulated by Tumwebaze during the ceremony. Photo by Nancy Nanyonga
Tumwebaze also noted that they are still discussing on how they can communicate cabinet decisions to avoid wrong reporting.
"We have seen media reports about cracks at Karuma Dam but has the ministry ever come out to clarify? We can defuse wrong reporting by giving media the right information" he added.
"This business of saying, the media has called me; they want information about the cancer institute; okay! I will respond to them after a top management meeting on Monday. Someone else will provide them what he thinks is right and by the time you come out on Monday; you will struggle to overturn a mountain" he noted.
Tumwebaze said they are also focusing on digitalizing government to fight corruption.
"I hear religious leaders cry about corruption in their sermons, media writes about corruption but no much discussion has been done about how we can fight corruption," he said.
"Corruption at many times is a result of human interface; I am offering you a service so give me kintu kidogo (bribe). If you take all these services online; that software does not accept a bribe" he added.
Tumwebaze wondered where he would meet a physical planner of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) or Kira Municipality to ask for a bribe, if he submitted his development plans online.