Grace Gidudu Appointed Acting Director of Parliamentary Communication

Parliament has appointed Grace Gidudu as the interim head of its communication and public affairs directorate. This move comes in the wake of the arrest of the substantive director, Chris Obore, who is currently under investigation by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) for alleged financial misconduct.

Benson Masereka Oniz has also been appointed as the acting director of human resource management, replacing Daniel Adilo, who is also facing charges related to the same financial probe. These interim appointments are intended to ensure the smooth operation of parliamentary services while substantive decisions are being made by the Parliamentary Commission.

Gidudu brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as assistant director for media relations. In that capacity, she was instrumental in coordinating media coverage, managing public information campaigns, and fostering engagement between Parliament and the media.

She is well-regarded within parliamentary and media circles for her proficiency in strategic communication, managing stakeholders, and disseminating public information. Recently, Gidudu advised newly elected Members of Parliament on responsible communication practices during their induction, emphasizing the importance of verifying information and preparing thoroughly for media interactions.

Her guidance included advising MPs to “Avoid comments without facts. Verify facts before going to the media,” and also urged responsible use of social media, noting its power in citizen engagement while cautioning against actions that could harm personal credibility or the integrity of Parliament.

The appointments occur as Parliament faces scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities, with investigations focusing on the potential diversion of significant public funds. The directorate of communication is crucial for maintaining public trust and informing citizens about legislative activities and policy debates.

https://observer.ug/news/gidudu-named-parliaments-acting-director-of-communication