This year, Cynthia Mpangas term as PRAU president (2016-2018) came to an end. She didnt stand again. A sign that she believes a lot in everyone’s ability to serve. She handed over to Sarah kagingo. Sarah becomes the third Female president of PRAU since its inception 42 years ago. The First PRAU Female president was Goretti Masadde.
“It has been a great honour for me to serve you alongside the brilliant men and women on the GC during my 2 year term in office at the helm of this great Association. I can confidently say that serving this Association has completely transformed me not only as a person but as a leader and I look forward to applying the lessons learnt in various situations and my other stations in life. I thank you all so much for entrusting me with this responsibility and it is my hope that majority of members benefited from many PRAU initiatives and opportunities that the GC offered.
Excerpt from Cynthia’s farewell message in August 2018
Cynthia has served The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) in several capacities. This tribute looks at her service as a Secretary General and President of PRAU. The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) is the only umbrella body of all communicators and PROs in both the private and public sector in the country.
Many initiatives were successfully rolled out during her reign with help of the Governing Council. PRAU started membership corporate tours. PRAU members visited Umeme, parliament, NSSF among other organizations to share best practices and network. There was a noticeable membership increase during Cynthia’s presidency. Prau nite, PRAU monthly run, and excellence awards were the other events that helped unite practitioners across the country.
She was destined to serve Ugandan PR practitioners. In fact ,Cynthia Mpanga made history when she was elected unopposed as president by members of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) during their 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Hotel Africana on Saturday July 9, 2016.
Cynthia’s term had impeccable brand visibility executions for PRAU both online and offline. During her term in office, there was more mention about PR and she was the face in the Media.She always challenged members to love their profession and association. She continues to remind all practitioners to always defend their profession especially in this digital age of smear campaigns.
Engagement of members. Cynthia was the brain behind PRAU WhatsApp groups and WhatsApp group outings. This platform created an online community that networks, shares, and discusses crucial PRAU topics up to date.
Exceptional Service dedication despite her work demands as a banker is undebatable. It is important to note that PRAU positions are purely voluntary. There is no PRAU event that she missed even before she became president. She attends all the monthly PRAU runs among other events.
Uniting all PR practitioners even if they were not members remains her passion. She once said A house that is divided against itself can never stand Mpanga believes in all people but no one is above the association. It is the reason the Association image still stands.
As PRAU president, Cynthia Mpanga represented PRAU to the distinguished Board of Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) was chaired by Mr. Patrick Bitature and a strong team of different Sector representatives. PRAU is one of over 25 professional Association members of PSFU having joined in 2004. PRAU got a seat to represent the views and interests of all the other professional Associations. PSFU serves as a focal point for private sector advocacy as well as capacity building and continues to sustain a positive policy dialogue with Government on behalf of the private sector.
Cynthia is now a Member and adviser to the PRAU Governing Council as Immediate Past president. Her day job is at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda. Cynthia is the Country Brand and Marketing Manager for Standard Chartered Bank Uganda. She is responsible for the execution of the brand and marketing strategy for the country
Cynthias over 13 years work experience in; investor relations, product development, corporate communications, motivational speaking, Marketing, Strategy, Planning, event Management, Media Relations, Social Media management, project management, Community investment, Crisis management, brand and reputation management is national asset.
Ivan N Baliboola
PR and Organizational Diagnosis specialist
[email protected]
