PRAU President Irene Nakasiita (5th L), PRAU Governing Council Members, Sponsors during the launch of PRUA’s 50th Anniversary celebration roadmap and announced a four-day Golden Jubilee Summit scheduled for 20–23 October 2026 at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja City, culminating in the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards on the evening of 23 October 2026
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) will hold a four-day Golden Jubilee Summit in Jinja City from October 20 to 23, 2026, to celebrate five decades of professional excellence, ethical communication and the growth of public relations in Uganda.
The celebrations will take place at the Source of the Nile Hotel, culminating in the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards on the evening of October 23, where outstanding practitioners, organisations and campaigns will be recognised for their contributions to public relations and strategic communication.
PRAU announced the programme during the launch of its 50th anniversary celebration roadmap, outlining activities intended to reflect on the association’s history, strengthen professional standards and prepare practitioners for the changing demands of the communication industry.
The celebrations will run under the theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Professional Excellence; Shaping the Future of Public Relations.”
Founded on May 22, 1976, PRAU is the umbrella body for public relations practitioners, communication specialists, brand managers and other professionals working in related disciplines across Uganda’s public and private sectors.
Over the past five decades, the association has championed professional development, ethical practice, capacity building and advocacy, including efforts to secure statutory recognition for the profession.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita said the golden jubilee represented both an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and a call to strengthen the profession’s contribution to national development.
“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,” she said.
Nakasiita said the anniversary would honour the pioneers who established the foundation of public relations in Uganda while encouraging emerging professionals to uphold high standards.
“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. As we celebrate this milestone, we must also look ahead and shape the future of public relations in Uganda,” she noted.
Four days of learning, networking and reflection
The summit will bring together public relations practitioners, communication professionals, industry leaders, partners and other stakeholders for knowledge-sharing sessions, networking and discussions about the future of the industry.
Participants will reflect on PRAU’s 50-year journey, recognise former leaders and pioneers, and explore how practitioners can respond to an increasingly digital and rapidly changing information environment.
The programme is also expected to examine the evolving role of strategic communication in building institutional credibility, managing stakeholder relationships and supporting organisations in an environment where information moves rapidly across digital platforms.
Chairperson of the Organising Committee and PRAU Immediate Past President Tina Wamala said the anniversary should encourage practitioners to take collective responsibility for 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,” she said.
Wamala said the organising team was working to deliver a programme that reflected the industry’s achievements while creating space for future-focused discussions.
“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 added.
Excellence Awards to crown celebrations
The summit will conclude with the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards under the theme, “A Legacy in Gold: Honouring the Cream of Public Relations.”
The awards will recognise outstanding individuals, communication campaigns and organisations whose work has contributed to the development of public relations and strategic communication in Uganda.
The ceremony will provide an opportunity to celebrate practitioners who have demonstrated excellence and helped shape the country’s communication landscape.
Participation fees for the four-day programme have been set at Shs1.8 million for PRAU members, Shs2 million for non-members, Shs1 million for students and $550 for international delegates.
Partners support the golden jubilee
Nakasiita expressed appreciation to the partners and sponsors 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, among others.
PRAU also acknowledged media and communications partners, including New Vision, UBC, Capital FM, Radio One, Galaxy FM, The Independent Magazine, Business Times and SoftPower, as well as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
The association has affiliations with the East African Public Relations Association, African Public Relations Association and International Public Relations Association.
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