UNCST Appoints Renowned PR Guru Jonan Kiiza as Spokesperson

What the report says

The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) has appointed communications specialist Jonan Kiiza as its official spokesperson, according to Watchdog Uganda. The announcement was made in Kampala and places Kiiza in a public-facing role for the government agency responsible for science and technology policy and promotion.

In the article, Kiiza is described as a well-known public relations professional who gained wider national recognition during 2025, when he was involved in communications around the transfer of electricity distribution to the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL). Watchdog Uganda said he became known for fast responses to media issues and for explaining technical subjects in simpler terms for the public.

Kiiza said his immediate aim is to raise UNCST’s profile and help position it as a major national centre for science, technology and innovation. He also said he wants the council’s work to be more closely linked to Uganda’s broader socioeconomic transformation agenda. UNCST operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and was established in 1990 to help advance the country’s science and technology vision.

The appointment matters because the council plays a key role in shaping public understanding of science and innovation policy. A more visible spokesperson could help UNCST communicate its programs more clearly and widen engagement with researchers, institutions and the public.