Government of Uganda commits to advancing the Public Relations Bill, at 4th National PR Symposium

Represented by Hon. Esther Anyakun, who is the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development and Woman Member of Parliament for Nakapiripirit, Government of Uganda has committed to advancing the Public Relations Bill.

Anyakun presented this commitment through a speech delivered on behalf of the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda at the 4^th National Public Relations Symposium held at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

In her speech she said, the Anyakun said, “ I am pleased to learn that PRAU is in the process of formalizing its legal status through a proposed Bill. This is a commendable move, and I pledge my support in advancing this agenda. A well-regulated communications profession will uphold high standards, enforce ethical codes, and ensure accountability in how we communicate as a country. As Government of Uganda, we look forward to working more closely with the PR profession to enhance transparency, civic engagement, and responsible leadership. Let this symposium serve as a Launchpad for greater collaboration between communicators and policymakers across all sectors.” A section of the speech reads!

The symposium is anchored under the theme ‘’From Strategy to the C-Suite: Elevating PR to the Boardroom”. This has brought together PR & Corporate Communication Professionals, CEOs, Board Members, & Executive Leaders, Government Communication Officers, Marketing & Brand Executives, Public & Corporate Affairs Professionals, and PR Students & Young Practitioners dedicated to reimagining the role of PR in Uganda’s leadership and governance space.

Public Relations is the mechanism that drives communication within every institution. Therefore, it is essential for practitioners from various organizations, whether they are from MDAs, NGOs, or the private sector, to be included in boardroom discussions.  

PRAU brings together over 500 PR practitioners, subscribed as Members of the Association. The Symposium is one of the flagship events of this Association and this is an opportunity for members to meet and engage in /dissect issues that affect the Profession.

The 4^th National Public Relations Symposium 2025 was designed to advocate for the inclusion of Public Relations professionals in executive leadership and boardrooms, demonstrate the strategic value of communication in driving governance, business continuity, and reputation management, equip practitioners with tools and insights required to elevate themselves into leadership roles, highlight success stories of PR professionals who have risen into senior executive and board-level positions, create mentorship and networking platforms for emerging communication leaders.

Odrek Rwabwogo, Senior Special Advisor to the President of Uganda and Chairman Uganda’s Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) delivered a keynote address on ‘Redefining Leadership Through Strategic Communication’. He said ”In May 1998, I remember taking a master’s class where my lecturer only had a diploma. I questioned her credentials, being a proud graduate from Makerere University. Her response was not defensive. Instead, she invited me to her office.”

He further explained, “That small office with only two computers handled the biggest PR accounts in town at the time. And that lesson stayed with me: credentials do not automatically translate into purpose. Experience, passion, and resilience shape industry leaders. When I later launched a PR firm, only one firm existed in Uganda, an American outfit named Burson-Marsteller. Today, 27 years later, this room is filled with Ugandan professionals in a vibrant, growing industry.”

In her remarks, Irene Nakasiita, the President of PRAU, said,’’ This symposium is a defining moment for our profession. Additionally, it’s also about asserting the value of PR beyond messaging and media, into strategy, leadership, and governance.

The event comes at an opportune moment when the country is embracing digital transformation, increased accountability for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and increased expectations from stakeholders. The symposium also highlighted the growing importance of strategic communication in executive decision-making, organizational resilience, and sustainable development. With a focus on the transition of public relations from a tactical function to a significant influence in the boardroom and C-suite.

The panel discussions revolved around.

1. Becoming Board-Ready – What Every PR Professional Must Know
2. Personal Branding for PR Professionals: Positioning for Leadership
3. CEO Mindset: Leading with Communication at the Core
4. PR Leaders Who Made It to the Top
5. Crisis-Proofing the Boardroom: Perception, Misinformation & Trust
6. Effective Advocacy, Stakeholder Relations, and Public Policy Influencing.

With the growing complexity of the communications environment, from real-time digital media to ethical stakeholder engagement, Uganda’s private and public sectors must embrace communication as a central function of leadership. Hence the symposium provides a platform to create a stronger, smarter, and more a influential community of communicators.

The Public Relations Association of Uganda 4^th National Symposium was made possible courtesy of Bank of Uganda, Deposit Protection Fund of Uganda QVibes Media, Microfinance Support Centre Uganda Development Corporation, Uganda National Oil Company, Capital Markets Authority, National Water & Sewerage Corporation, Kampala Capital City Authority, NRG Radio, Affinity Media, Nation Media Group, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda Breweries Limited, Crown Beverages Ltd, Design Series & Supplies Limited, Newmans Foods, Vision Group, Galaxy Fm, CEO East Africa Magazine, Softpower News, PML Daily, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Iverse Digital, Uganda Communications Commission and Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation.