Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause.
The term “propaganda” apparently first came into common use in Europe as a result of the missionary activities of the church. Around 1622 Pope Gregory XV created the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Its role was to spread Christianity. A Propaganda college was put in place to train priests for missions. In its origins “propaganda” was an honorable word. It was in later times that the word came to have a selfish and dishonest meaning.
Differences in political matters have given rise to propaganda and counter-propaganda in Uganda. Most politicians are relying on propaganda as a tool to get elected. This has made them to appear as having a promising career but unfortunately, most of them won’t keep their word. The weaponizing of propaganda is popular in Africa and on the rise in Uganda.
Social media has also given the opportunity for propagandizing ideas and beliefs. A free press is also partly to blame for the rise of propaganda. It is a common mistake for our politicians to overvalue its power. Men and women are not so easily swayed as some who spread propaganda seem to think.
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Propaganda not only attacks an argument and fact it goes for individuals leaving their images tarnished and institutions where victims serve, thus undermining faith in them and changing the nature of the truth. This also makes it hard for people with reputable careers to work with the government and engage in politics because of fear of having their images tarnished. It also undermines the trust citizens have in their institutions and also affects investor confidence, thus affecting foreign direct investment in Uganda.
However, on the good side knowledge and information have made Ugandans hold onto opinions no matter how heavy the barrage of propaganda attempting to force them to change it. Propaganda is not as powerful as our politicians believe it to be. It is only a tool in the formation of public opinion. Ugandans ought to be more conscious of their interests and well informed on the problems and affairs of the country for the people spreading propaganda don’t intend to stop in the near future.
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact”
For God and my country. God bless Africa.
The Author is a political analyst
