By Edrisa Ssentongo
Irene Nakasiita, the head of publicity and resource mobilisation at Uganda Red Cross, has been elected unopposed as President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU).
Ms Nakasiita takes over from Tina Wamala of the British High Commission.
Nakasiita now heads the governing council of the umbrella body that brings together public relations and communications professionals from both government and private sectors.
She will be deputised by Ronald Beinomugisha, director of Eiraka Communication Connect.
Most of the leadership positions in the new PRAU executive went uncontested. Nancy Akullo, the Communications Manager at the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda, was elected Director of Programmes, while Stella Marion Athieno, Managing Director of Butterfly Communication, became Secretary General.
Athieno will be assisted by Lynn Tukei, Head of Public Relations and Communications at the Capital Markets Authority.
The only contested post was that of Director of Public Relations, where Shirley Birungi, the Communications Manager at PostBank, emerged victorious over Faith Kinani of the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment programme, and Brian Emorut, a Public Relations support officer at the Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife.
Speaking during the association’s 49th annual general meeting in Kampala, outgoing president Tina Wamala recounted achievements during her term, highlighting improved systems, enhanced membership, and a stronger institutional framework.
“We put in place policies like human resource, procurement, and anti-money laundering frameworks, and also began professionalising public relations through the PRAU Bill, which we tabled in Parliament as a private member’s bill,” she said.
Wamala added that PRAU had forged meaningful partnerships with entities such as Uganda Baati, Artfield Institute of Art and Design, and regional peers like the East Africa Public Relations Association.
“I implore you to be people of integrity. Let’s walk the talk, fulfil our commitments, and actively participate in association activities,” she urged members.
In her first address as president, Nakasiita thanked members for turning up in large numbers and pledged to work closely with them.
“We’ve had a graceful day, fruitful discussions, and I give thanks to all members for the massive turnout and thoughtful contributions,” she said.
“I count on your cooperation as we take PRAU forward together.”