Half a century after its founding, the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) is preparing to mark its 50th anniversary with a landmark Symposium that its President says should serve as both a celebration and a turning point for the profession.
The Golden Jubilee Symposium, which will bring together approximately 300 participants including communications professionals, corporate leaders, government representatives, academics, development partners, media practitioners, and students, is being positioned as one of the most significant gatherings in PRAU’s five-decade history.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita, delivering remarks to rally members and partners ahead of the event, said the milestone carries weight far beyond the ceremonial.
“This 50-year milestone is not only a celebration of achievement, but also a call to strengthen the role of public relations in shaping organisational success and national priorities,” she said.
Fifty years since PRAU was established, the association reflects on a journey that has seen it grow into a central voice for professional communication, ethical practice, and strategic stakeholder engagement in Uganda. The Symposium, Nakasiita said, offers a unique platform to honour that legacy while confronting the demands of an increasingly dynamic communications landscape.
At the heart of this year’s programme is a focus on strategic communications for institutional sustainability. Nakasiita urged participants to move beyond reactionary communication and treat PR as a core pillar of long-term organisational health, not a function reserved for moments of crisis or media attention.
She also called for deeper cross-industry collaboration, noting the value of engagement with sister associations and stakeholders from the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and government institutions as the profession charts its next 50 years.
For the next generation of practitioners, Nakasiita’s message was direct and personal. She urged young professionals and university students to use the occasion to forge connections with established industry figures.
“Hook up with the legendaries,” she said. “Gain guidance, grow your skills, and build meaningful career connections.”
She further described the Symposium as a space that intentionally blends formal learning with a social energy designed to nurture the kind of relationships that outlast the event itself.
As PRAU turns 50, the association is not simply looking back. Under Nakasiita’s leadership, the message is clear: the golden jubilee is a foundation, not a finish line.
