Government Official Calls for United Front Against Misinformation

Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde has sounded an alarm regarding the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation in Uganda’s digital landscape, advocating for a unified strategy to combat these challenges. Speaking at the World News Day 2026 Editors’ Breakfast Meeting in Kampala, Zawedde stressed that rapid technological advancements have blurred the lines between fact and fiction, making it difficult to discern credible news.

“Technology is really running so fast beyond our imagination. News is running faster than reality, and then you don’t know what is factual and what is not,” Zawedde stated. She pointed to the conflicting reports surrounding King Oyo’s health as a clear illustration of how quickly and inaccurately information can spread.

The Permanent Secretary also raised pertinent questions about defining professional journalism in the current era, where individuals outside traditional news organizations can reach vast audiences. She urged the Media Council and other regulatory bodies to clarify the frameworks for regulation in this evolving media environment.

Zawedde acknowledged the resource limitations faced by regulators in monitoring the expansive media space, noting the necessity for advanced technology to keep pace. However, she underscored that safeguarding Uganda’s information integrity is a collective responsibility, extending to journalists, media houses, and the public.

Highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked misinformation, Zawedde explained how it can impact Uganda’s international reputation, investment climate, and opportunities for its citizens. She particularly urged media stakeholders to focus on young people, who are predominant users of digital platforms, by promoting early media and digital literacy.

“It’s high time we went down and sat on the table to clearly define this, so that we are all speaking the same language,” Zawedde implored, calling for practical, short, medium, and long-term solutions to be identified and implemented collaboratively.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/374125/zawedde-urges-media-government-to-unite-against-misinformation-2