KAMPALA, Uganda — Female communications executives must prioritize community support systems to successfully navigate the intersection of high-stakes professional careers and personal obligations, industry leaders said Saturday.
At a high-level gathering hosted by the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) ahead of International Women’s Day, professionals from across the corporate landscape convened at Revive Wellness Spa to address the systemic pressures facing women in the industry.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita challenged practitioners to move beyond individual ambition and embrace collective elevation. She noted that while the communications field demands the management of complex stakeholder interests and rigid deadlines, these pressures are often compounded by significant domestic responsibilities.
“When we join efforts and support one another, we don’t just grow individually but elevate the entire profession,” Nakasiita told the assembly.
During a panel on charismatic leadership, executives argued that the prevailing pressure on women to excel simultaneously in career, family, and community roles is a barrier that requires intentional support networks to overcome.
Olive Birungi Lumonya, deputy director general at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, rejected the notion that empathetic leadership is a liability. Instead, she characterized empathy as a strategic institutional strength.
“Soft leadership is powerful leadership,” Lumonya said. “Empathy is not weakness in leadership; it is strength. It allows leaders to understand people, support them, and guide them better.”
The sentiment was echoed by Scanad Uganda CEO Edna Torana and Pride Bank Head of Marketing Elizabeth Namaganda, who emphasized that aligning personal values with organizational vision is essential for sustainable professional engagement.
The program also addressed the psychological components of leadership. Cerinah Tugume, founder of Serene Beauty, asserted that self-awareness must be coupled with self-acceptance and a proactive approach to addressing professional deficiencies.
