National Office

NATIONAL SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Introduction

Social Communications is one of the departments of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, the administrative arm of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC). It was established in 1971, following the Vatican II Decree on the Media of Social Communications, Inter Mirifica (1963), which recommended the setting up of national communication offices.

UEC opened the department to promote the pastoral activities of the Catholic Church in Uganda through various means of communication. It operates under the guidance and supervision of the Social Communications Commission.

The department has the mandate to promote information flow and networking through the various means of communication. It coordinates and supports the diocesan communication offices and Catholic media institutions in Uganda, and collaborates with the departments of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, various media institutions and external partners.

Vision

An informed, networked, and pastorally vibrant Catholic Community in Uganda.

Mission

To promote the use of modern means of communication for holistic evangelisation and development at all levels of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

General Objectives

To promote and harmonize activities of the Catholic Church in the field of Social Communications.
To bring together Catholics in Uganda engaged in the communication apostolate.
To coordinate national projects and organizations for the specialized apostolate of the means of Social Communications.
To ensure effective information flow and networking within the Catholic Church and with the various media institutions in the country.
To promote collaboration with national and international Institutions and associations in matters of communication for the benefit of the Social Communications apostolate in Uganda.
To organize the national World Communications Day celebration and solicit support for the Social Communications apostolate.
To train the clergy, religious and laity in communication to improve pastoral activities, and to guide the consciences of the faithful in the right use of the media.
To be a public relations office of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

Core Values

Solidarity

Working together and supporting one another as communicators

Stewardship

Good care and management of what has been entrusted to the communicators.

Professionalism

Adherence to the ethical principles of journalism (Truthfulness, objectivity, accuracy, fairness, balance, etc).

Commitment to the Catholic Faith

Communicating what the Catholic Church teaches, including; daily prayer, participation in sacraments.

Our Team

Social Communications Commission of UEC

Mandate

The Social Communications Commission is the advisory and supervisory body of the Uganda Episcopal Conference in matters concerning the Social Communications apostolate. Hence, it is mandated by and shall be answerable to the Conference on whose behalf it carries out its activities.

Duties & Responsibilities

To plan and propose policies that foster the Social Communications apostolate of the Catholic Church in Uganda and that must be approved by the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
To advise and make recommendations to the Uganda Episcopal Conference on how to enhance communications within the Church and by the Church.
To advise on advocacy issues about Social Communications and carry out lobbying where necessary.
To advise and guide the Executive Secretary of the Social Communications Department and the staff to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of the department activities and the use of its resources.
To approve the annual financial report, budget and planned activities of the Social Communications Department and to guarantee implementation.
To advise on staff recruitment and welfare.

Membership

Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli – Chairman
Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa – Vice-Chairman
Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza – Member
Msgr. John Baptist Kauta – Secretary General of Uganda Episcopal Conference
Fr. Philip Odii – Executive Secretary of Social Communications
Ms Catherine Judith Laryem – Representative of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province
Mr. Aloysius Gonzaga Sserumaga – Representative of Kampala Ecclesiastical Province
Ms. Doreen Nshabohurira – Representative of Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province
Mr. Joseph Kelae Ngiro – Representative of Tororo Ecclesiastical Province
Bro. Rogers Kazibwe – Representative of the Religious in Uganda