Shartsi Musherure (Right) hands over an Award to Sheila Sabune, the UBL Director of Corporate Affairs.
Mawogola County North Member of Parliament, Shartsi Musherure, has pledged to push the Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill in Parliament.
Musherure made this commitment while presiding over the PRU Awards 2024 at the Protea Hotel in Kampala on Friday.
“As you may be aware, some months ago, I was approached by two senior members of PRAU—Ms. Helen Kawesa and Mr. Stephen Mwanga—with a request that I assist PRAU in moving the Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill in the Parliament of Uganda as a Private Members’ Bill. I would like to inform you that I have already given this request a positive consideration. I received a copy of the Bill. I have read it and realised that it is a good thing for both you, the PR professionals, and Uganda at large. It has also come to attention that this is one of the key professional areas in Uganda that is not regulated by any law. I notice that the Bill will, among others, aims to assist the Government of Uganda and the courts, on all matters affecting Public Relations practice in Uganda. It is also clear that the Bill will assist the Government and institutions of higher learning in training Public Relations professionals in the country; assist the Government, organisations, and members of the public in identifying professional Public Relations Practitioners to transact with. The Bill will streamline Public Relations practice in the country; and will protect and assist members of the Public Relations profession in Uganda in terms of their conditions of practice and otherwise,” said Musherure.
According to Musherure, the Awards are “ a very important event for professional bodies like PRAU because Awards such as these can be a highly effective way to honour the good work of PR professionals.”
“I am very confident that these Awards will inspire PR practitioners to work to their highest potential. Awards enhance PR professionals’ credibility; they show that the PR professionals’ work meets high standards,” added Musherure. She commended the PRAU Governing Council and “all of you, PR professionals in Uganda for embracing Awards because, as you may know, such awards greatly contribute to increased visibility; they also support new business opportunities for the winners.”
Plus, she said that “Awards of this nature motivate PR practitioners, boost morale, and encourage excellence.”
Musherure said: “I, therefore, congratulate all the winners and all the other contestants who participated in this process. As stated earlier, I would like to clearly state that I have already given this request positive consideration. I would like to assure you of my willingness and commitment to support PRAU on this front.”
The President of PRAU, Tina Wamala, the Awards celebrate “the best of the best in our industry.”
The night was hosted under the theme “Recognising Innovation.”
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do as PR professionals. It is the spark that ignites creativity, the fuel that drives progress, and the fire that burns within us to constantly strive for excellence. As we celebrate the innovative work of our peers tonight, let us also remember the importance of innovation in our own work. Let us continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, to experiment with new ideas, and to strive for excellence in everything we do,” said Wamala.
The Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award – Henry Rugamba.
Social Media/Digital Communication Campaign – Population Services International (PSI).
Not for profit campaign of the Year – Population Services International (PSI)
Corporate Communication Campaign of the Year – MediaAge PR
Public Affairs Campaign of the Year – UMEME
Media Relations & Media Management Campaign of the Year – Brainchild BCW
CSR & ESG Campaign of the Year – UBL
Crisis Communication Management Campaign of the Year – Equity Bank Uganda
Internal Communications Campaign of the year – EACOP
PR Agency of the Year 2024 – MediaAge PR
Young Communicator of the Year – Ivan Darlington Mwebe
