MASAKA CITY, 13 October 2026 — Effective communication goes beyond the exchange of information. In leadership, it plays a critical role in negotiation, conflict management, building consensus and maintaining productive working relationships.
These were among the areas explored during an afternoon induction session for newly elected Local Government councillors in Masaka City on Tuesday, the first day of the induction, facilitated by Ms. Ruth Gyayo.
The session covered upward and downward communication, the role of communication in the effective functioning of Local Governments, skills for effective communication and public speaking.
Upward communication enables concerns, grievances and feedback from communities and lower administrative levels to reach decision-makers, helping inform planning and decision-making. Downward communication, on the other hand, facilitates the flow of Government policies, Council decisions and administrative guidance to those responsible for implementation.
More broadly, effective communication is essential for Local Government councillors, who regularly interact with the communities they represent, listen to grievances, address public concerns and explain Government programmes and decisions. It also enables them to negotiate, manage disagreements and maintain constructive working relationships with fellow councillors, technical staff and other stakeholders.
The training forms part of the Ministry of Local Government’s ongoing Induction of Local Government Councils, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of newly elected leaders to effectively fulfil their mandates and improve service delivery.
