The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) has been honored with the prestigious "Best Media Relations" award for 2024, marking its second consecutive win.
This achievement highlights the authority’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong partnerships with the media and ensuring the public stays well-informed about its regulatory activities in the energy and water sectors.
The award was presented by the Public Relations Society of Tanzania (PRST) during a ceremony held on March 29, 2024, after a highly competitive process that saw many institutions vying for the top honor.
EWURA’s recognition emphasizes the organization’s dedication to transparency, good governance, and accountability.
Through its efforts in maintaining open lines of communication with journalists and media outlets, EWURA ensures that Tanzanians are kept up to date with vital information on the services it regulates.
This includes its work in the energy and water sectors, which are central to the country’s economic development and the welfare of its citizens.
In an interview at the award ceremony, EWURA’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, Mr. Titus Kaguo, expressed pride in the achievement.
He stated, “This award for the second consecutive year is a testament to EWURA's commitment to upholding good governance and transparency, with unwavering support from our Board and Management under the leadership of Prof. Mark Mwandosya and Dr. James Mwainyekule.”
Mr. Kaguo emphasized that the recognition reflects EWURA’s continuous efforts to engage effectively with the media to disseminate vital information to the public.
The award further underscores the importance of an empowered media in promoting public awareness about regulatory bodies like EWURA.
By valuing media freedom and providing clear, consistent, and accurate information, EWURA has earned the trust of both the public and media professionals.
The authority’s approach to public relations has set a benchmark for other organizations, proving that a healthy relationship with the media is essential for enhancing organizational transparency and effectiveness.
The criteria for awarding EWURA this recognition included the authority’s “excellent strategic media engagement plan,” the “quality of content shared with the public,” and its “overall consistency in providing accurate, timely, and relevant information.”
According to Mr. Kaguo, “The key to our success lies in ensuring that our media relationships are built on trust, transparency, and continuous engagement. Our media partners play an essential role in helping us reach the public with accurate and timely information on the services we regulate.”
Moreover, the authority’s consistent media engagement has allowed it to address key regulatory challenges, as well as communicate changes and improvements in the energy and water sectors effectively.
Through these channels, EWURA has been able to build a reputation for reliability, further cementing its position as a leader in the regulatory field.
Mr. Kaguo added, “It is not just about winning awards, but also about ensuring that our public outreach efforts directly contribute to improving public understanding of the services we regulate.”
Another notable achievement recognized during the ceremony was the "Best Public Relations Officer" award for 2024, which was presented to Ms. Janeth Mesomampya, EWURA’s Public Relations Officer.
Ms. Mesomampya was one of the five recipients of this prestigious award, and her dedication to promoting the authority’s mission and values has been recognized by her peers.
This accolade reflects her tireless work in crafting and managing EWURA’s communication strategies, further enhancing the organization’s engagement with both the media and the public.
PRST President Mr. Assah Mwambene expressed that the awards serve as a motivating factor for public relations professionals across the country to continuously improve the quality of their work.
He stated, “These awards are not just about recognition, but a call to action for all professionals in the public relations field. They inspire us to strive for excellence and to continue enhancing our efforts to improve service delivery in all sectors.”
EWURA’s win in 2024 follows a similar recognition in 2022, where the authority was also acknowledged for its outstanding media relations efforts.
Both wins reflect EWURA’s ongoing commitment to working with the media to keep the public informed and support the country’s development goals.
As Mr. Kaguo concluded, “Our media relationships are built on the foundation of trust, and these awards reflect the ongoing efforts to keep our stakeholders informed and engaged.”
With these achievements, EWURA continues to set an example for other regulatory bodies in Tanzania and beyond, proving that media relations are an essential pillar of effective governance and service delivery.