50 years of influence, 50 people who shaped and still influence PR practice in Uganda

As the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) marks 50 years (this year), it is important to recognise the people whose work, leadership, creativity, and influence have shaped Uganda’s communications and PR landscape over the years. From the founding pioneers who established public relations as a recognised profession during difficult political and technological times, to the corporate communicators, media strategists, public affairs leaders, agency founders, and today’s digital reputation managers, each generation has played its part. 

This recognition also reflects how much the practice of PR has changed. Before the internet, PR in Uganda looked very different from today’s fast-paced digital environment. The digital age may have sped up the way we communicate, but it is the discipline, structures, professional standards, and pioneering work of earlier generations that laid the foundation for today’s integrated communications industry. 

Founding & pioneer era, including former PRAU leadership
These built recognition for PR as a profession in Uganda.

1. John Nagenda
Served as Senior Presidential Adviser for Media and Public Relations from 1989 until his death in 2023.

2. Mary Karooro Okurut

Served as Uganda’s Minister of Information and National Guidance and earlier as Presidential Press Secretary (1999–2004). During her tenure, she pushed for more open dialogue with the public and the media. As the administration's main voice, she strengthened government–media relations and, as NRM spokesperson, clearly communicated key policies and positions.

3. James Mutabazi

He was one of the founding figures of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) and served as its past president. He established PRAU in 1976, during a period of political repression, with the long-term goal of building a strong, respected professional PR body in Uganda and across the continent.

4. David Musoke

Among the pioneer Public Relations Officers at Makerere University in the 1980s and at the Coffee Marketing Board. Worked with the BBC and Reuters and was one of the founding editors of The New Vision. Later became a PR lecturer at Makerere University.

5. Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi 
A leading public affairs, communications, and project management professional. She is well known for serving as Public Relations Officer and spokesperson for the Go Forward pressure group during Amama Mbabazi’s 2016 presidential campaign.

6. Hope Kivengere

A respected communications specialist, diplomat, and civil servant, she served as President Museveni’s first and longest-serving Press Secretary from 1986 to 2001. She helped build and professionalise the State House communications office after the NRA liberation war and played a key role in improving relations between the Ugandan government and the international media.

7. Stephen Mwanga

Served as President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) from December 2020 and held senior editorial roles at the Parliament of Uganda. At the regional level, he served as Acting Chair of the East Africa Public Relations Association (EAPRA). As PRAU President, he led efforts to draft and advocate for the PRAU Practitioners’ Bill through consultations with the Ministry of ICT. The bill aims to secure formal legal recognition and regulation of the PR profession in Uganda.

8. Henry Rugamba

One of East Africa’s leading PR and marketing communications practitioners, with a career spanning more than four decades. He is the Managing Partner at Songa Communications and a Non-Executive Board Member at BAT. Previously, he served as Head of Communications at Umeme. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contributions, mentorship, and influence in the PR field. As a past president of PRAU, he contributed significantly to the standardisation and professionalisation of PR practice in the region.

9. Goretti Masadde

The first female president of PRAU (2010). During her term, she focused on strengthening professional standards in PR and on stabilising the association’s finances. She has led communication strategies for several financial institutions, including Global Trust Bank and, later, Orient Bank.

10. Jimmy Kiberu

He was a member of the first Mass Communication class at Makerere University, which helped introduce degree-level training in media and communications in Uganda. He is a seasoned corporate communicator and served as Head of Corporate Affairs at Tullow Oil Uganda from 2010 to 2012.

11. Ignie Igundura

A veteran PR practitioner and former PRAU president, he completed his term around 2006. He headed corporate communications at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority for many years.

12. John Chihi

A key figure in East African public relations, best known as the Co-Founder, Managing Director, and Lead Consultant at Media Age PR EA Limited, one of Uganda’s earliest and well-regarded communications agencies.

13. Tamale Mirundi

A journalist, author, and political analyst who served as Senior Presidential Press Secretary to President Yoweri Museveni for more than 12 years. He became widely known for his outspoken, blunt, and often controversial political commentary.

Corporate & institution builders from the 90s 
This generation is a mix of those who brought PR into boardrooms and corporations, and those who helped structure it within institutions. It also includes PR management and its influence on brands within agency structures. 

14. Philip Besimire 
Between 2001 and 2008, served in key communications and marketing leadership roles, including Public Relations Manager (and company spokesperson) and later Senior Manager for Consumer Marketing. Widely regarded as an influential figure in telecom communications.

15. Daniel K. Nsibambi

Moved from UCB to serve as the initial Communications Manager for Stanbic Bank Uganda following its acquisition, supporting the brand integration.16.     Dennis Mbidde

Early marketing and PR practitioner who helped establish corporate sponsorships, sports PR, and mass-market consumer communications campaigns.

17. Dick Kasolo
Long-serving Press Secretary and spokesperson for the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, often gives interviews and shares historical and cultural context on the kingdom.

18. Sarah Kagingo
Former PRAU President (2018–2020) who led structural changes within the association. Also served as Special Presidential Assistant for Communication and later founded SoftPower.

19. Onapito Ekomoloit

Prominent figure in PR, corporate communications, and media strategy in Uganda. Served as Deputy Presidential Press Secretary and later Presidential Press Secretary to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni from 2001 to 2006, during which he played a key role in reshaping State House media and public relations.

20. Judith Nabakooba

Government communications.

21. Susan Nsibirwa

Marketing executive, PR consultant, and media leader who serves as Managing Director of Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda. Appointed in January 2024, she became the first woman to lead the company in Uganda.

22. Pamela Ankunda

PR professional with senior experience across government institutions, regulatory bodies, and private consultancies. Spent several years at Uganda’s telecommunications regulator, where she managed major public communications, including nationwide SIM card verification campaigns.

23. Peter Kaggwa

Professional in marketing communications, experiential marketing, and event management. Best known as CEO of Events Warehouse, an experiential marketing and event management agency founded in 2003. Maintains long-standing links with the PR community and previously served as Director of Programmes at PRAU.

24. Helen Kawesa

Communications professional with extensive experience in institutional communications and an advocate for the formal regulation of Uganda’s PR industry. Serves as Deputy Editor of Hansard and Acting Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

25. Linda Nabusayi

Public relations, media, and communications professional in Uganda, known in particular for her senior role at the State House of Uganda.

26. Fred Enanga

Police Senior Commissioner and institutional spokesperson known for transforming day-to-day public reporting by the police.

27. Charles Peter Mayiga

Served as Minister for Information and Kingdom Spokesperson for the Buganda Kingdom from 2002 to 2005, and again from 2008 until his appointment as Katikkiro (Prime Minister) in 2013.

28. Grace Achire

Founder of Vantage Communications Ltd, recognised as the first ISO-certified PR firm in East and Central Africa. The ISO 9001 certification demonstrated that PR and communications work could be conducted under internationally audited systems.

29. Caleb Owino

Agency leader in Uganda’s modern communications industry. Served as Group Managing Director of Fireworks Advertising during its expansion from 2008 and oversaw its partnership with the global firm Burson-Marsteller, which led to the launch of Brainchild Burson-Marsteller in Uganda.

30. Alex Rukundo

Integrated marketing communications executive with more than two decades’ experience in PR, brand strategy, and media management across East Africa and the GCC. Known for leadership roles at major marketing agencies, including Managing Director of MetropolitanRepublic Uganda, and for serving as General Manager and Deputy Managing Director of WPP-Scangroup (Scanad Africa).

31. Nada Andersen

Originally from Trebinje (in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina), later naturalised as a Ugandan citizen. Often regarded as a key early figure in Uganda’s advertising industry. Founded Star Leo Advertising in 1998 and managed it as a major agency in the Ugandan market. Also served as President of the Uganda Advertising Association (UAA).

32. Odrek Rwabwogo

Ugandan entrepreneur, author, and advisor on export and industrial development. Known for his work in strategic PR, having founded a media advisory firm and taught leadership and national values to young professionals. Trains government communicators and PR practitioners to adopt more results-oriented approaches.

33. Sheila Kangwagye

Corporate relations practitioner who led multi-sector development campaigns for MTN Uganda, demonstrating how coordinated campaigns can support brands, influence public behaviour, and build stakeholder trust.

34.    Cynthia Mpanga

Former Secretary General of PRAU and corporate relations professional at Standard Chartered Bank. Contributed to strengthening corporate communications standards and advancing professional PR practice in Uganda.

35. Robert Kabushenga

Corporate executive, lawyer, and media strategist, best known for his 14-year tenure as CEO of Vision Group. Previously, he headed the Uganda Media Centre, overseeing national press relations and strategic state communications.

36. Owen Kibenge

Started his career in the late 1990s as a broadcaster and newsreader, including work with CBS FM 89.2 Kampala from 1998. Known for his broadcast delivery and editorial standards, he later moved into strategic corporate public relations and development communication. Served as Internal Communications Consultant for the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.

37. Andrew Mwenda

Publisher of The Independent magazine. Holds a distinctive and sometimes controversial role in Uganda’s communications landscape. Rather than leading a traditional PR agency, he is a political communicator, media owner, and strategic consultant. Acts as a link between state institutions, regional diplomacy, and public opinion. Associated with the ‘Muhoozi Project’ branding, which positioned the president’s son as a potential successor to President Yoweri Museveni. Maintained direct access to both President Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, often serving as an informal intermediary and backchannel communicator.

38. Aldrine Nsubuga

Media personality and commentator known for his work with MultiChoice Uganda (1993–2000), Uganda Telecom, Crane Bank, and Simba Telecom.

39. Muhereza Kyamutetera

Founder and CEO of East Africa Magazine and a corporate brand strategist whose work in publishing, executive profiling, and strategic positioning has supported brand storytelling across the region.

40. Peter Odeke

Former media anchor who later moved into senior public relations and institutional communications roles, contributing to media relations and strategic messaging at leading organisations.

41. Kin Kariisa

He has played a central role in shaping communications and PR in East Africa’s digital era as head of Next Media, a multi-brand media company based in Uganda. As a tech entrepreneur, media owner, and communications strategist, he promotes a digital-first approach to information, branding, and corporate governance. He also established Next Com, a digital communications and PR agency within Next Media.

42. Agnes Konde

Corporate executive and marketing specialist, serving as Director of Communications, Innovations, External Engagements, and Advocacy at AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa). Played a major role in developing modern media, PR, and corporate communications in Uganda. Previously Managing Director at NTV Uganda (2013–2017), where she led Africa Broadcasting Uganda Limited (ABUL), a division of Nation Media Group, oversaw key shifts in media strategy, and organised Uganda’s first live televised presidential debate.

New age era of modern strategic communications leaders in the 20s 
This era of boardroom influence, PR triggered trust, stakeholder strategy and also brought about integrated communications in other disciplines 

43. Daudi Ochieng

A prominent, award-winning Ugandan expert in strategic communications, advocacy, and Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), and Head of Communications at Malaria Consortium. With decades of experience in integrated marketing, PR, and global health, he has led major communication programmes across Africa.

44. Alan Kasujja

Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre and official Government Spokesman, a role he assumed in March 2026. On taking office, Kasujja made his position on public relations clear, stating: “Government communication is not a PR exercise. It is nation-building, and this has to be taken very seriously.” He is driving structural and narrative changes to shift government communication from reactive PR to a modern, proactive, and coherent national voice.

45. Tina Wamala

A well-known, award-winning strategic communications executive, widely recognised for her work at the British High Commission. She is President Emeritus of PRAU and is credited with raising the profile and standards of the public relations industry in the region.

46. Irene Nakasiita

President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) and Director of Communications, Resource Mobilisation, and Strategic Partnerships at the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS). During her tenure, PRAU celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee on 22 May 2026.

47. Simon Peter Kasyate

One of Uganda’s most recognisable PR practitioners, he runs Pedigree Quest Strategies Ltd, which trains senior public figures and provides specialised communications support to Justices in Uganda’s courts.

48. Helena Mayanja
A leading Ugandan PR and communications executive, currently Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank Uganda. She has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate communications and brand strategy. She previously served as Managing Director at Hill + Knowlton Strategies (January 2016 – February 2022), where she led public relations and strategic communications campaigns for global and regional clients in Uganda and Rwanda.

49. Seanice Kacungira
Co-founder and Group CEO of a tech-driven integrated marketing agency operating across several African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The agency delivers culturally grounded campaigns for global brands and major local clients and has been behind work such as the organic revitalisation of KFC Rwanda.

50. Mwebe Ivan Darlington
A respected Ugandan PR and communications practitioner, currently serving as PR Manager at brainchild Burson (formerly brainchild BCW), one of East Africa’s leading marketing communications agencies.