By Yasiri J. Kasango
Harriet Adong, has spent her professional life practicing communication and public relations in Uganda. Her journey has seen her rise to become the Director of Communication and Public Relations at Uganda Christian University (UCU). Born in Teso, Adong has thrived on family support, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Her career in communication began at the Reach Out Mbuya an HIV/AIDS Initiative, a church Uganda funded project in Mbuya that focuses on caring for HIV/AIDS patients and conducting sensitisation outreaches. Initially serving as a public relations officer, she was quickly promoted to communications manager after her six month probationary period, a role she held for five years. “That was quite exciting for me,” she recalls.
Her next career leap was with the Resilient Africa Network (RAN), a USAID-funded project based in Kololo, Kampala, which focuses on research and innovation. Adong joined RAN in 2012, starting as a communications manager and later rising to the position of Director of Communications and Knowledge Management.
“Our research would inform innovation and creativity,” she notes, highlighting the project’s impact. Under the mentorship of Professor William Bazeyo, she honed her skills and expanded her expertise in public speaking, which she discovered as her niche while at RAN.
Adong’s love for public speaking opened numerous doors. She began moderating significant events for prestigious organisations.
“I pride in having had a chance to moderate events with One Health Eastern Africa,” she says with a sense of achievement.
Her talent for moderation extended beyond corporate events to weddings, where she brings a unique corporate flair.
“I’m not very comic because moderators of weddings have to have that comedy to make people laugh. So my sort of comedy is more corporate,” she explains.
She attributes much of her success to the unwavering support of her husband and children: “I thank God I have a very understanding husband, who is extremely supportive and has enhanced my career,” she shares. Despite the demands of her career, Adong is able to balance her professional and personal life. “Family is one of my support systems in my work,” she acknowledges.
In 2024, Adong transitioned to UCU, inspired by the opportunity to work in a Christian-based institution and the potential for professional growth. “Being a Christian, it’s also good for me to give back to the community and work with a Christian-funded institution,” she reflects.
“I love to let the world know about the beautiful things we do at UCU,” she says. Her dedication to her work is so much so that her children often assist her in capturing moments related to climate change and other research areas she’s involved in, demonstrating her influence even within her family.
As a member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), Adong remains at the forefront of the communication field. She is also looking forward to pursuing a Ph.D., potentially in communicating science, to further enhance her ability to support scientists in breaking down complex information for the public.
