Kampala, 8 October 2026: The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) has today launched its 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.
Founded on 22 May 1976, PRAU is the umbrella body for public and private sector public relations practitioners, communication specialists, brand managers and professionals in related disciplines in Uganda. Over the past five decades, the Association has championed the professionalisation of public relations, capacity building, ethical practice and advocacy, including efforts towards the statutory recognition of the profession.
The 50th Anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Professional Excellence; Shaping the Future of Public Relations.” The four-day programme will bring together practitioners, communication professionals, industry leaders, partners and stakeholders to celebrate the profession’s journey, reflect on its contribution to Uganda’s development, and explore the future of public relations in an increasingly digital and rapidly changing information environment.
The Golden Jubilee programme will combine professional development, knowledge-sharing sessions, networking, reflection on the Association’s history and forward-looking conversations on the future of the profession. It will also recognise the contribution of past leaders and pioneers who have played a significant role in building and advancing public relations in Uganda.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita said the milestone is both a celebration of the Association’s journey and a call to action for the profession. “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 added that the Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity to celebrate the profession’s past while preparing it for the future. “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.
10th PRAU Excellence Awards to Crown the Celebrations. The four-day Golden Jubilee programme will culminate in the 10th PRAU Excellence Awards, which will take place on the evening of 23 October 2026 under the distinct awards theme, “A Legacy in Gold: Honouring the Cream of Public Relations.”
The awards will recognise outstanding individuals, campaigns and organisations whose work has contributed to the growth, development and advancement of public relations and strategic communication in Uganda. They will also provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence across the profession while honouring practitioners and organisations that have made a significant impact and helped shape the public relations landscape over the years.
Chairperson of the Organising Committee and PRAU Immediate Past President Tina Wamala highlighted the importance of collective ownership of the milestone.
“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 added, “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.”
The four-day programme, running from 20 to 23 October 2026, will feature knowledge-sharing sessions, networking opportunities, reflections on PRAU’s 50-year journey, recognition of past leaders and the prestigious Excellence Awards ceremony.
Participation fees are UGX 1.8 million for PRAU members, UGX 2 million for non-members, UGX 1 million for students, and USD 550 for international delegates.
Nakasiita expressed appreciation to the partners and sponsors whose support has contributed to the Golden Jubilee celebrations. These include Parliament of Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Pearl Bank, Uganda Revenue Authority, Deposit Protection Fund (DPF), Next Media, Crown Beverages Limited, Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Ipsos, Guide2Uganda, CEO Magazine, CommsofAfrica, IdeahCentral, Galaxy FM, Epicom, The Independent Magazine, Business Times, Softpower, Action Imagery, Capital FM, New Vision, Affinity Media, UBC, Radio One, SautiPlus, Stanbic Bank, Uganda Baati and Uganda Red Cross Society, as well as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
PRAU invites its members, partners, sponsors, the wider communication community and well-wishers to join the Association in Jinja from 20–23 October 2026 as it marks five decades of professional excellence and looks ahead to the future of public relations in Uganda.
