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PRAU renews push for law to regulate PR profession, eliminate quacks
Nakasiita said the association is in advanced stages of advocating for legislation that would professionalise the sector, strengthen accountability and protect organisations from the growing number of unqualified public relations practitioners.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita. (Courtesy: Uganda Media Center)
By: Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Journalist @New Vision
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The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) has renewed its call for the enactment of a law to regulate the country’s public relations and communications profession.
According to the association, the absence of a legal framework has allowed unqualified practitioners to infiltrate the industry and undermine professional standards.
The renewed appeal was made during the launch of the 5th National Public Relations Symposium at the MultiChoice Uganda headquarters in Kololo, Kampala, on Friday.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita said the association is in advanced stages of advocating for legislation that would professionalise the sector, strengthen accountability and protect organisations from the growing number of unqualified public relations practitioners.
"We are in advanced stages of advocating for a public relations and communicators’ law that regulates the sector to kick out quack Public Relations practitioners because we have many quacks in the industry,” Nakasiita said.
Her remarks come at a time when organisations are increasingly relying on strategic communication to navigate misinformation, digital disruption, reputational risks and heightened public scrutiny.
Nakasiita argued that communication professionals today play a far broader role than media engagement, noting that they are central in crisis management, stakeholder engagement, corporate governance and protecting institutional reputation.
“The symposium comes at a time when organisations across both public and private sectors are increasingly navigating misinformation, digital disruption, reputational risks and rapidly changing stakeholder expectations. Against this backdrop, PRAU believes strategic communication has become indispensable in enabling institutions to remain transparent, accountable and resilient,” she said.
According to her, the proposed legislation would present one of the biggest reforms in the country’s communications industry by establishing professional standards and enhancing public confidence in the practice.
The call for regulation comes as PRAU prepares to celebrate 50 years since its establishment in 1976. The celebrations will be marked on between August 20 - 23 this year at a venue yet to be decided.
Her remarks come at a time when organisations are increasingly relying on strategic communication to navigate misinformation, digital disruption, reputational risks and heightened public scrutiny.
Nakasiita argued that communication professionals today play a far broader role than media engagement, noting that they are central in crisis management, stakeholder engagement, corporate governance and protecting institutional reputation.
“The symposium comes at a time when organisations across both public and private sectors are increasingly navigating misinformation, digital disruption, reputational risks and rapidly changing stakeholder expectations. Against this backdrop, PRAU believes strategic communication has become indispensable in enabling institutions to remain transparent, accountable and resilient,” she said.
According to her, the proposed legislation would present one of the biggest reforms in the country’s communications industry by establishing professional standards and enhancing public confidence in the practice.
The call for regulation comes as PRAU prepares to celebrate 50 years since its establishment in 1976. The celebrations will be marked on between August 20 - 23 this year at a venue yet to be decided.
The association said the Golden Jubilee presents an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of public relations from a largely publicity-driven function to a strategic management discipline that supports organisational performance and national development.
The association also officially unveiled the 5th National Public Relations Symposium on July 3 at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala under the theme, “Beyond Headlines: Strategic Communication for Effective Organisations.”
The symposium is expected to attract communications professionals, policymakers, corporate executives, government communicators, development partners, academics, students and international public relations experts to discuss the changing landscape of strategic communication.
Organisers said discussions will focus on practical approaches to institutional communication, crisis management, reputation building, stakeholder engagement and the use of strategic communication to drive sustainable organisational growth.
PRAU said it will also use the symposium to strengthen collaboration with other professional bodies, including the Human Resource Managers’ Association of Uganda, the Uganda Marketers Society and the Uganda Advertisers Association, reflecting the growing integration of communication, branding, marketing and organisational leadership.
Nakasiita thanked sponsors, partners, and the media for supporting the association’s activities as it prepares for its Golden Jubilee celebrations.
This year’s symposium is supported by Bank of Uganda, Psalms Food Industries Limited, Crown Beverages Limited, Affinity Media, NRG Radio, Galaxy FM, QVibes, Uganda Red Cross Society, MultiChoice Uganda and the Electoral Commission.
The association also officially unveiled the 5th National Public Relations Symposium on July 3 at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala under the theme, “Beyond Headlines: Strategic Communication for Effective Organisations.”
The symposium is expected to attract communications professionals, policymakers, corporate executives, government communicators, development partners, academics, students and international public relations experts to discuss the changing landscape of strategic communication.
Organisers said discussions will focus on practical approaches to institutional communication, crisis management, reputation building, stakeholder engagement and the use of strategic communication to drive sustainable organisational growth.
PRAU said it will also use the symposium to strengthen collaboration with other professional bodies, including the Human Resource Managers’ Association of Uganda, the Uganda Marketers Society and the Uganda Advertisers Association, reflecting the growing integration of communication, branding, marketing and organisational leadership.
Nakasiita thanked sponsors, partners, and the media for supporting the association’s activities as it prepares for its Golden Jubilee celebrations.
This year’s symposium is supported by Bank of Uganda, Psalms Food Industries Limited, Crown Beverages Limited, Affinity Media, NRG Radio, Galaxy FM, QVibes, Uganda Red Cross Society, MultiChoice Uganda and the Electoral Commission.