Uganda polishes public image

2005-09-12 12:57

Kampala - The Ugandan government has set up a media organisation that will provide daily news to local and foreign media in a move designed to bolster the administration against attacks from the political opposition and boost its image abroad, an official from the president's office said on Monday.

"The president has directed that it should take immediate effect. The opposition, realising they have no support, are targeting foreign governments and donors and yet these foreigners do not know what is really happening on the ground," said president Yoweri Museveni's deputy press secretary, Tamale Mirundi.

The Media Centre has been established to research, manage and disseminate information from all government departments, issue press releases, develop a data base and hold briefings, a statement earlier obtained from the president's office said.

Earlier this year bilateral donors including Britain and Norway withdrew part of their aid to Uganda, saying that Museveni's government was mishandling the transition to multi-party democracy which was suspended in 1986.

Angry donors

Donors were angry that although parties were allowed back after a constitutional amendment, government played a part in removing the presidential term limits thereby making Museveni eligible to stand again in the 2006 general elections after 19 years in power.

"On the issue of the term limits for example, this was an amendment which involved many changes in the constitution. The opposition confused foreigners that it was only meant to remove the term limits and leave Museveni in power," Mirundi said.

However, Joachim Buwembo, managing editor of Uganda's leading independent paper, The Daily Monitor, said the government's move was "suspect".

"The timing is suspect. Why set up a body at this time when the country is heading for a general election? Second, if the government is doing a good job, maintaining transparency and observing the rule of the law, there should be no need for such a body. It is more important to do a good job than white-washing it," he said. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA