Kampala, Uganda: 31st July 2024 – The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) has announced the launch of its second mentorship programme cohort, a strategic initiative aimed at nurturing and developing the next generation of public relations professionals in Uganda.
Building on the success of the inaugural programme, PRAU is committed to providing aspiring PR practitioners with invaluable guidance, mentorship, and industry exposure.
The mentorship program pairs experienced PR professionals with early-career individuals, offering a platform for knowledge transfer, skill development, and professional growth.
Through one-on-one mentorship, group sessions, and industry workshops, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the public relations landscape, develop strategic thinking abilities, and build strong professional networks.
“We are thrilled to launch the second cohort of our mentorship programme. Mentorship is a cornerstone of professional development, and we believe that investing in our young talent is essential for the growth of the public relations industry in Uganda. This programme provides a unique opportunity for mentees to learn from seasoned practitioners and for mentors to share their expertise and give back to the industry.” said Tina Wamala, President of PRAU.
The programme will cover a wide range of topics, including strategic communication, crisis communication, media relations, digital PR, corporate social responsibility, and leadership development.
Mentors will share their experiences and insights, while mentees will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through practical projects and assignments.
“In our second cohort, we attracted interest from over 60 people (both mentees and mentors). PRAU selected eight (8) senior PR professionals that will serve as Mentors and the rest will be Mentees attached equally to the selected Mentors,” said Paul Mwirigi, Vice President of PRAU.
Mentors on the program include Linda Nabirye (External Communication & Public Affairs Coordinator at Total Energies), Aminah Namuddu (Senior Communication Officer, Electricity Regulatory Authority), Norah Namono (Communications Specialist, CARE International in Uganda) and Rinaldi Jamugisa (PR & Communications Manager, MultiChoice Uganda).
Others include Anita Kayongo (Corporate Affairs Manager, Total Energies), Irene Nakasiita (Head of Communications and Public Relations, Uganda Red Cross), Robert John Anguzu (Communication Specialist, Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project) and Odiirah Nansamba (Communication Specialist, Ministry of Education and Sports).
In a joint statement by Pius Lubwama and Brian Philip Tumusiime, the PRAU Student Coordinators and joint PRAU Mentorship Program Coordinators, both were ecstatic about the line-up of Mentors who will be working with the Mentees to nurture and develop the next PR professionals in PRAU.
“We are so thrilled at the list of experienced Mentors that have joined us for the PRAU Mentorship Programme – Cohort 2. The Mentors have over 100 years of combined professional experience; their expertise, experience and knowledge will go a long way in ensuring the Mentees are well guided in their professional and personal development as they embark on their public relations career,” said Pius Lubwama and Phillip Brian Tumusiime.
PRAU is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all participants. The mentorship programme is open to individuals at various stages of their careers, and efforts have been made to match mentors and mentees based on their professional goals and interests.
Globally, there have been similar PR mentorship programs which have been implemented successfully. For example, The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) offers a variety of mentorship programs, including the PRSA Mentor Program, which pairs experienced PR professionals with students and early-career practitioners.
The Institute for Public Relations (IPR) provides mentorship resources and programs, including the IPR Mentor Program, which connects PR professionals with students and young professionals while the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) offers mentorship opportunities for members, including the CIPR Mentorship Scheme.
Finally, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) provides mentorship resources and programmes for members, including the IABC Mentorship Programme; large corporations like Unilever and Procter & Gamble and global PR agencies like Edelman and Ogilvy have internal mentorship programs.
These programs are what PRAU aims to emulate in generating better, all-rounded and well-guided PR professionals as they start their PR career.
“Our PRAU Mentorship Programme is hinged on having clear goals and objectives by both Mentor and Mentee, the programme’s purpose and outcomes is also well defined with clear goals and processes, and it provides a clear framework for mentor-mentee interactions. The mentors and mentees have also been carefully paired in our matching process,” said Tina Wamala, President of PRAU.
The PRAU Mentorship Program Cohort 2 will run from 1st August to 31st October 2024. The PRAU Mentorship Program Cohort 1 will graduate on 6 September 2024.
