BAT Uganda Board Chairperson Henry Rugamba has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Excellence Awards 2024.
In his speech, Rugamba urged PR practitioners to move from the backroom to the boardroom and move from putting up banners and managing press to directing strategy and shaping narratives.
Rugamba is a seasoned business leader and public relations professional with approximately 30 years in public relations and marketing communications.
He began his career at BT Group plc in the United Kingdom (formerly British Telecom), before joining British American Tobacco, where he worked in the Marketing and Corporate Affairs departments for over 10 years.
After a period in consultancy work, Henry joined Umeme Limited as Head of Communications, where he was instrumental in building Umeme’s brand and implementing a successful stakeholder management policy. Henry joined the Board as a director in 2022.
Media Age dominates the awards
Media Age, a Corporate & Brand Reputation Management agency, dominated the awards for the second year in a row. It took home the PR Agency of the Year, Corporate Communication Campaign and Overall PR Campaign of the Year awards.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Mawogola North MP Hon Shartsi K Musherure, praised PRAU for motivating PR practitioners, boosting morale, and encouraging excellence and friendly competition, automatically leading to high ethical standards and good practice.
“Along with my colleague Members of Parliament, we pledge to support the association to move the Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill on the floor of Parliament, as a Private Members’ Bill,” she said.
According to her, the bill is a good instrument for PR practitioners, communicators, the communication industry, the government and Uganda at large.
“Personally, I’m passionate about PR aspects especially personal branding of oneself. We are all moving brands and are as good as what we do and preach.”
The Chairperson of the Uganda Advertising Association, Rommel Jasi, emphasised partnerships like those between PRAU, the Uganda Advertising Association, and the Uganda Marketers Society which showcase the power of collaboration in fostering innovation.
“Our strength as an industry lies in working together. That defines our profession,” said Jasi in a message read for him by UAA Vice Chairperson Lyz Cynthia Zaninka.
Dr Innocent Nahabwe, Lead Judge and National Association of Broadcasters representative highlighted the incredible calibre of work this year.
“We were impressed by the high level of professionalism, creativity, education, and excellence demonstrated. Tonight’s awards are a testament to the power of effective communication and the impact it has on businesses, communities, and societies around the world,” he said.
PRAU President Tina Wamala said the ceremony shone a spotlight on the best and brightest in Uganda’s public relations industry.
“Under this year’s theme, “Recognising Innovation,” we celebrate the creativity and brilliance that define our industry. Tonight isn’t just about awards; it’s about inspiring one another to push boundaries, embrace new ideas, and continually raise the bar,” she noted.
The Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award – Henry Rugamba
Best Internal Communication Campaign – East African Crude Oil Pipeline
Best Crisis Communication Management – Equity Bank
Young Communicator of the Year -Ivan Darlington
Best Media Relations Campaign Award -Fireworks Uganda (Brainchild BCW)
Best-Not-for-Profit Campaign Award– Population Services International
Best Corporate Communication Campaign Award – MediaAge PR Limited
Best Public Affairs Campaign Award – Umeme Limited
Student Award – Esther Nampeera
Best Event/Experiential Award – Sauti Plus Media Hub
Best Media Relations and Management Group – BrainChild BWC
Social Media/Digital Communications Campaign – Population Services International
PR Agency of the Year – MediaAge PR Limited
Best Overall PR Campaign Award – MediaAge PR Limited
Best CSR & ESG – Uganda Breweries Limited
