KAMPALA — The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) will hold a four-day Golden Jubilee Summit in Jinja from October 20 to 23 to mark 50 years of professional practice and development in public relations.
The summit, scheduled to take place at Source of the Nile Hotel, will culminate in the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards on the evening of October 23.
PRAU announced the programme on Thursday during the launch of its 50th-anniversary celebration roadmap in Kampala.
Founded on May 22, 1976, PRAU brings together public and private sector public relations practitioners, communication specialists, brand managers and professionals in related disciplines.
The association has spent five decades promoting professional standards, capacity building, ethical practice and advocacy, including efforts to secure statutory recognition for the public relations profession.
The anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Professional Excellence; Shaping the Future of Public Relations.”
The four-day summit will feature professional development sessions, knowledge-sharing forums, networking opportunities and reflections on the association’s history. Discussions will also examine the future of public relations amid rapid changes in digital communication and the information environment.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise the role of strategic communication in building institutional credibility and public trust.
“Reaching 50 years is not just a celebration of our longevity as an association; it is recognition of the increasing value of strategic communication in building institutional credibility, strengthening stakeholder trust and supporting national development,” Nakasiita said.
She said the milestone would also provide an opportunity to recognise the pioneers who established the profession in Uganda and prepare younger practitioners to take it forward.
“Our 50th Anniversary is an opportunity to honour the pioneers who laid the foundation of public relations in Uganda, celebrate the practitioners who continue to elevate the profession, and inspire the next generation to carry it forward with integrity, innovation and excellence,” she said.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we must also look ahead and shape the future of public relations in Uganda,” Nakasiita added.
Excellence Awards to Crown Celebrations
The summit will conclude with the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards, held under the theme, “A Legacy in Gold: Honouring the Cream of Public Relations.”
The awards will recognise individuals, campaigns and organisations whose work has contributed to the development of public relations and strategic communication in Uganda.
Tina Wamala, PRAU’s immediate past president and chairperson of the Golden Jubilee Organising Committee, said the celebrations should also prompt reflection on the profession’s future.
“This Golden Jubilee is not simply an opportunity to look back at our achievements. It is an opportune moment to reflect on how we can further professionalise our industry, mentor the next generation of practitioners and continue shaping Uganda’s narrative with integrity,” Wamala said.
She said the organising committee had worked to develop a programme reflecting the profession’s contribution over the past five decades while creating space for discussions about its future.
“As Chair of the Organising Committee, I am proud of the work the team has put in to deliver a four-day programme that reflects the excellence, resilience and impact of public relations in Uganda over the past half-century, while also looking ahead to what lies ahead for the profession,” she said.
Participation Fees and Partners
Participation fees for the four-day programme have been set at Shs1.8 million for PRAU members, Shs2 million for non-members and Shs1 million for students. International delegates will pay $550.
PRAU also acknowledged the institutions and organisations supporting the celebrations, including Parliament of Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Pearl Bank, Uganda Revenue Authority, Deposit Protection Fund, Next Media, Crown Beverages Limited, Capital Markets Authority, Ipsos, Stanbic Bank, Uganda Baati and Uganda Red Cross Society.
Other partners and sponsors named by the association include National Water and Sewerage Corporation, New Vision, UBC, Capital FM, Radio One, Galaxy FM, The Independent Magazine, Business Times, SoftPower, CEO Magazine, Guide2Uganda, SautiPlus, Affinity Media, Action Imagery, CommsofAfrica, IdeahCentral and Epicom.
PRAU has invited its members, sponsors, partners and other communication professionals to participate in the Jinja celebrations from October 20 to 23.
The association is affiliated with regional and international professional bodies, including the East African Public Relations Association, the African Public Relations Association and the International Public Relations Association.
The Golden Jubilee comes as the association seeks to consolidate the gains made in professionalising public relations while addressing emerging demands on communication practitioners in an increasingly digital environment.
