Communications experts urged to redefine Uganda’s Ethos
According to Tayebwa, this can be achieved through both stakeholders working in the communications industry, working along with the government and hence reorganizing PRAU as a professional body in Uganda.
While officiating at the 3rd National Public Relations Symposium organized by the public relations association of Uganda (PRAU), Thomas Tayebwa the deputy speaker of parliament, challenged communications experts to shape the national ethos of Uganda and turn negative thoughts into positive actions.
According to Tayebwa, this can be achieved through both stakeholders working in the communications industry, working along with the government and hence reorganizing PRAU as a professional body in Uganda.
Tayebwa noted that this will also help to weed out wrong communication experts in the profession here in Uganda.
“we can weed out those who are driven by money. For example, what I found in upcountry, the journalists after greeting you and covering you before knowing how they are doing the story, they want a transport refund. I said but in other countries it’s the journalists who pay because I have given you content,” he said.
Professionalizing and regulating organizations like PRAU, is one of the things Tayebwa highlights that will be able to result in looking at issues like welfare especially for communications experts.
He added that because of the presence of people on jobs and yet everyday they are walking around with their sickness, then an employer may not be able to get good output.
Tayebwa explained to the Communications experts that, “As leaders, we have a lot to do that impacts our country’s image, but if you can’t agree with your government, at least love your country. It’s self-defeating to promote yourself without promoting your country because people look at the bigger picture and the whole ecosystem of a country.”
According to the speaker, if an individual does not know much about anything, the end result is them being judged according to where they come from or their country.
“What is Uganda known for? I remember there’s a time we had reduced ourselves to being known for Rolex, eating Rolex in Uganda! And we made it a national product really! Being known for chapati and eggs, something of shs.1000! But how many Rolexes will you sell to improve the GDP of the country and how many quality visitors will you attract in the country?” he asked.
The deputy speaker told communications experts that many people are wrong to think that they can promote themselves without promoting their country, saying that by the time he appreciates someone and wants to work with them, he is looking at a bigger picture at an echo system of a country.
He wondered about some people who call themselves influencers on social media, influencing how successful they can but end up bashing their own country.
He stated, “there’s something called, “ENO UGANDA OLWEMWA” I have never even understood what it means. Now, if you want to market yourself as an influencer from Uganda, then you add on “UGANDA OLWEMWA”, where are you going to influence because your influence is in Uganda but your bashing the same country,”
Tayebwa also urged the media and communications experts to do their work with discipline, since it’s the same discipline that can help them build on other hustles. He said it is very important to earn well because no one knows what the future holds.
The National Public Relations Symposium brings together communication experts to discuss critical issues like governance, leadership, and the strategic use of PR in building strong reputations.
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The symposium attracts industry professionals, media representatives, and mid-level managers who understand the power of effective public relations in building and maintaining trust as a lever for reputation building.
