By Guest Writer
NCBA Bank Uganda has been named the winner of the Best CSR & ESG Campaign of the Year at the 9th Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Excellence Awards, earning nationwide recognition for its NCBA Makerere Marathon 2025 (MakRun2025) campaign.
The accolade celebrates the bank’s commitment to social impact, sustainability, and community empowerment, highlighting its efforts to rally Ugandans in support of disadvantaged students at Makerere University.
Through extensive engagement of students, alumni, university leaders, corporate partners, athletes, and the public, the marathon successfully raised funds to improve accessibility and inclusivity at the Makerere University Student Centre. The campaign also supported the creation of enhanced learning environments, the provision of assistive tools, and strengthened support systems for students facing less visible yet deeply limiting barriers.
NCBA’s strategic partnership with Mediage PR ensured nationwide visibility, leveraging compelling storytelling, media relations, digital engagement, and coordinated stakeholder outreach. The campaign generated a surge in social media participation, volunteer involvement, and active inclusion of persons with disabilities—a defining and unifying element of the marathon.
Speaking after receiving the award, NCBA’s Head of Marketing, Edgar Tusiime, described the recognition as a validation of a campaign that transcended corporate visibility to create meaningful impact.
“This award highlights the power of purposeful campaigns in driving real, positive change. It also reinforces our ongoing leadership in education support, environmental conservation, financial inclusion, and community resilience,” Tusiime said.
The PRAU Excellence Awards ceremony, held at Protea Hotel, Kampala, brought together communication leaders, brand strategists, and development champions to celebrate innovation, excellence, and measurable social impact.
This year’s theme, “Recognizing Innovation and Impact in Public Relations,” reflected the evolving nature of the sector, emphasizing the growing importance of creativity, measurable outcomes, and strategic communication that drives meaningful change.
PRAU President Irene Nakasiita emphasized that the awards were established to honour outstanding achievement in Uganda’s public relations sector, providing a platform for individuals and organizations to showcase creativity, strategic thinking, and executional excellence.
“In this year’s edition, we are celebrating more than just winners; we are honoring innovators who have redefined the boundaries of public relations in Uganda. Their work shows how strategic communication can be a powerful driver of trust, progress, and meaningful societal transformation,” Nakasiita said.
She added that the awards highlight the importance of campaigns that not only capture attention but also deliver measurable results, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and foster positive social change.
About NCBA Bank Uganda: NCBA Bank Uganda Limited is a subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, East Africa’s third-largest bank with an asset base of UGX 960 Billion and a strong liquidity profile. Formed from NIC and CBA Banks in 2020, NCBA combines extensive corporate and retail banking experience with leading innovations, offering products from mobile banking, asset finance to tailored investment solutions. Focused on relationship management and customer success, NCBA empowers clients to achieve financial goals while supporting regional economic growth.
