Monthly Archives: August 2021

The 2020 – 2024 PRAU Strategic Plan stipulates that one of the solutions to the existing problems facing the association and the industry at large is to improve the appreciation and understanding of the PR profession and the role it plays in strengthening organizational effectiveness. The Plan proposes that there is need to undertake various initiatives that are designed to help employers and users of PR skills to better understand the profession. Some of these interventions include conducting outreach interventions to key stakeholders focusing on creating awareness about PR and creating avenues to amplify the image of the PR practice in Uganda.

It is upon this background that on April 27, 2021, the association made a move to initiate a partnership with the Kingdom of Buganda, with a proposal to work hand in hand on community development projects. This was at a meeting the Governing Council held with the Kattikiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga and other kingdom officials in Bulange, Mengo Kampala.

PRAU President, Stephen Mwanga appreciated the Kattikiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga for spearheading various community development projects and for taking the lead role in providing guidance on covid-19 prevention to Buganda and the rest of the country.

On behalf of the association, the President pledged support for subsequent Kingdom projects in the areas of health, girl-child education, youth skilling, poverty alleviation, tourism, tree planting, agriculture and cultural preservation, all for the good of the community.

The Kattikiro of Buganda appreciated the fraternity of PR practitioners for the commendable communication efforts executed in the different organizations where PRAU is represented, citing Public Relations as a profession whose role can’t be underestimated – it cements the relationship between organizations and their publics.

As we concluded our visit to the kingdom, the Katiikiro was presented with the PRAU lapel pin by the Immediate Past President, Sarah Kagingo, as a symbol of an initiated alliance.

In the same breath, the Governing Council met with the Department of Journalism & Communication at Makerere University to discuss jointly conducting short training courses for PR Practitioners. The proposal was endorsed by the department on May 20, 2021.

The interactions with institutions of higher learning are intended to further the appreciation of the Public Relations practice in Uganda as well as make PR related knowledge easily accessible. Because we constantly strive to advance Public Relations Excellence through knowledge and skill sharing, training and other career growth initiatives, these steps are key to the GC’s calendar.

The collaboration with Makerere University will not only avail upskilling opportunities to members but will also position the association as the authority it ought to be, delivering accreditation to members and budding Communicators.

The Head of Department, Aisha Nakiwala Kiyingi, appreciated the Governing Council for renewing the relations PRAU had had with the University and stated that she looked forward to further conversations geared towards making this initiative a success.

After the meeting, a technical team with members from both PRAU and the University was formed and tasked to lay out the final execution plan, whose details will be communicated in due time.

In May, David Birungi represented the association at this year’s APRA virtual conference when he delivered a presentation on Economic Development in Africa: The role of Public Relations, while Moses Opolot took to the same podium to engage on matters pertaining to PR’s role in managing conflicts on the African continent. This was part of the APRA Webinar series on July 29.

Our liaison with the key stakeholders is progressing and it is our hope that warmth and amiability are extended to us whenever we reach out.

Allen Ssempa

Secretary General

The Governing council 2020-2022 conducted a meeting with the Department of Journalism & Communication at Makerere University to jointly conduct short training courses for PR Practitioners in Uganda which was endorsed by the both parties on May 20^th, 2021.

The President Mr Stephen Mwanga expressed his gratitude to the department for the effort done to run both the communication and journalism courses at the University. As its mandated by the PRAU Governing Council to position the Association and its members, it structured the stakeholders’ engagement programme to interact with corporate organizations, staff and communication students in selected institutions of higher learning. The interactions are intended to further knowledge on and appreciation of the Public Relations practice in Uganda. We constantly strive to advance Public Relations Excellence through knowledge and skill sharing, training and other career growth initiatives.  

 He added that the partnership will build the industry, position the Association and bring accreditation to its members and the academia. The trainings shall align the PR Practice in Uganda and deliver all the skills to all members who are affected by the involving world with a lot of challenges faced by the role of Public Relations. The President added that the trainings shall close the gaps that practitioners experience in the field.

The Head of Department, Ms Aisha Nakiwala Kiyingi, appreciated the Governing Council for considering Makerere University to provide these trainings as an Institution. She added that early 2000’s, PRAU had a partnership with them and was delighted to having this partnership as well reached on. She endorsed the partnership between the Department of Journalism & Communication and the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) on offering short trainings to the fraternity members. She further informed the Governing Council that there is need to read the industry as a whole to identify the niche for members’ growth and benefit.

The meeting informed to have a selected technical team of 4 people both from PRAU and the Department to further pursue this partnership.

On April 27^th, 2021, the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) sealed a partnership with the Kingdom of Buganda to work hand in hand on community development projects under their meeting held at Bulange, Mengo Kampala. The partnership was endorsed by the Kattikiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga.

The President Mr Stephen Mwanga appreciated the Kingdom and the Kattikiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga for driving the kingdom forward through the various community projects and for taking the lead role in guiding the people of Buganda despite the current pandemic of Covid-19. He added the urge for the Association to partner closely with the Kingdom to effectively drive and execute numerous community projects to further grow the community as well as the Kingdom and the Association of PR practitioners. The President added that the partnership intends to add value to the communication elements of the Kingdom’s community projects on health, girl-child education, poverty alleviation, tourism, tree planting, agriculture and cultural preservation for the good of the communities.

The Kattikiro of Buganda appreciated the fraternity of PR practitioners for the commendable communication efforts done for the Country and the Kingdom at large. He added that Public Relations can’t be underestimated as its meant to cement relationship between an organization and its publics and it is very key for every organization to take it up or risk being left behind. PR professionals are needed to provide accuracy, mobilize masses and urged the organizations to continue to advertise with the Buganda kingdom platforms.  Among the various valuable partnerships that the Kingdom is involved in, I believe that the partnership with PRAU will benefit the youths towards many opportunities including employment.

Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga said, “when we partner with PRAU, we will do so much to help the youths (since the majority of our people are  quite youthful) in the Kingdom in particular and Uganda in general to identify opportunities through communication as opposed to keeping on social media that has both the positive and negative impacts in communication, if the youth learn to use the social media platforms well to grow themselves, and as well to use them for education purposes, then our nation could see greater pillars hence growth. I therefore, as the team leader endorse the partnership between the Kingdom of Buganda and the Public Relations Association of Uganda.

He added that the partnership will see the Public Relations (PR) team at the Kingdom led by the information minister, Owek Noah Kiyimba join the Association as members.