As Uganda’s communication landscape grapples with misinformation, digital disruption, and growing public demand for transparency, the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) has launched its 5th National Public Relations Symposium, positioning strategic communications as a critical driver of organizational resilience and national development.

The symposium, officially unveiled at the MultiChoice Uganda head office in Kololo on June 26th, 2026, will take place on Friday, July 3rd, 2026, at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala. It forms one of the flagship activities leading to PRAU’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in October, marking 50 years of advancing the public relations profession in Uganda under the theme, Strategic Communications for Effective Organizations.

The annual gathering is expected to convene communication professionals, policymakers, corporate executives, government communicators, development partners, academics, students, and international public relations experts to examine how strategic communication can strengthen institutions and contribute to Uganda’s development agenda.

Speaking at the launch, PRAU President Irene Nakasiita thanked sponsors, partners, and the media for supporting the association’s journey towards its 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of the growing influence of public relations in organizational leadership and national progress.

“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,” Nakasiita said.

She noted that the symposium comes at a critical time when organizations across the public and private sectors are confronting misinformation, reputational threats, digital transformation, and rapidly evolving stakeholder expectations.

“Strategic communications have become indispensable in enabling institutions to remain transparent, accountable, and resilient,” she added.

Nakasiita said this year’s symposium will feature distinguished speakers from the fields of public relations, marketing, advertising, human resource management, government, civil society, and international communication networks. Through panel discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions, participants will explore practical approaches to crisis communication, institutional reputation management, public trust building, and the use of strategic narratives to deliver sustainable impact.

The symposium is supported by Bank of Uganda, Psalms Food Industries, Crown Beverages Limited, Affinity Media, NRG Radio, Galaxy FM, Uganda Red Cross, MultiChoice Uganda, and the Electoral Commission.

To encourage wider participation, PRAU has subsidized registration fees at Shs200,000 for members, Shs250,000 for non-members, and Shs70,000 for students.

The symposium is expected to set the tone for PRAU’s Golden Jubilee celebrations later this year while reinforcing the association’s commitment to elevating professional communication standards in Uganda.

This story was written by: Edrisa Ssentongo, Member, Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU)