Catholic Communicators in Uganda Urged to Use Communication Tools to “build bridges”

He also called on Catholic journalists to foster networking and collaboration in service delivery, adding that by working together, journalists “can create a world where communication is the force for unity and progress rather than a force for destruction.”

Mr. Tayebwa went on to challenge Catholic Communicators in Uganda to see to it that their messages are rooted in truth, empathy, and respect for others.

The legislature who was the guest of honor at the event also said that when communication is used in an appropriate way, it can foster development in a country. He observed that the choice to use communication for development or destruction lies in the hands of the communicators.

“We can use communication to develop, to fight poverty, to build families; we can use it to put people into communities that can help others,” said the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda County North, in the western region of Uganda.

He added, “As we navigate through the complexities of modern-day communication, we must strive to ensure that it remains a tool for creating an understanding, promoting peace, and bringing people together rather than a source of division and conflict.”

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Mr. Tayebwa said that the theme of the 57th WCD is relevant in the contemporary world in which people are “constantly bombarded” with messages from various sources making it difficult to differentiate between truth and fiction.

“That is why the Holy Father was very clear about communicating from the heart; this helps because when you speak from the heart, it helps you to speak the truth,” he said, and added, “When we speak outside the heart, we destroy people publicly.”

The legislature added that the Ugandan government has tried its best in working with the media and that it will continue to do so in order to ensure effective and ethical communication.

Speaking at the same event, the Director of Social Communications in Kampala Archdiocese acknowledged with appreciation the crucial role that the Ugandan government plays in the communication sector. 

Fr. Joseph Mukiibi said the social communications apostolate in the Ugandan Catholic Archdiocese is faced with challenges that include “hyper-competition and the constant need for media viability and sustainability.”

Fr. Mukiibi said the challenges need to be addressed “head-on” by “averaging our resources, investing in training and expertise, and seeking innovative approaches to ensure that our messages reach far and wide.”

The Ugandan Catholic Priest called for spiritual, moral, and financial support from within and beyond the Diocese to address the challenges. 

He also underlined the need for all people of God to be “responsible stewards of the media utilizing it as a tool to build transparent democratic societies that uphold human rights and foster human and economic development.”

Fr. Mukiibi urged Catholic communicators to accept the fact that their responsibility requires humility to realize that their profession goes beyond “mere communication”.

“This responsibility requires a humility that recognizes that our calling extends beyond mere communication. It is an invitation to contribute to the salvation and nourishment of souls,” he said during the May 14 event.

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.