Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) Friday, March 24, 2023, awarded women in the media industry at the 2023 Women and Media Symposium.
UMWA is a voluntary, non-profit NGO run by women journalists in Uganda. UMWA runs Mama FM 101.7 – the first women’s radio in Africa.
The event was organised in partnership with CIPESA, Pollicy, Vision Group, Nile Breweries Limited, Media Challenge Initiative and Soft Power News.
The Women and Media Symposium and Awards Ceremony organised under the theme, “Her Story: Self, Health & Wealth”, was held at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
The Award categories included; Distinguished ladies in the Media and Communication industry: Academia, Research, management and civil society (Mentors, Managers, Researchers and Trainers); Distinguished Long Serving Ladies; Long serving and Mentorship; Reporting from the Frontline; Managing Stations; Innovation; Hard Stuff; Investigative; Community; Resilience; Daring; Brave and innovation; Press Freedom; Transitioning: Journalism to Police and Politics; Founding Leaders/Chairpersons and Lifetime Award.
Distinguished Ladies in the Media and Communication Industry: Academia, Research and Management and Civil Society
Prof. Goretti Nassanga: Prof. Nassanga was recognised for being the first Professor in Journalism and Communication in Uganda; and for contributing extensively to research in the same area. Prof Nassanga also co-developed the first gender and media module for the Department of Journalism and Communication of Makerere University.
Prof. Monica Balya Chibita: Prof. Monica was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the field of Media and Communication and extensive undertaking of research in this area.
Barbara Kaija, Vision Group: Ms Barbara was recognised for her outstanding contribution in the Media and Communication Industry. Ms Kaija is the first woman in Uganda, to hold the position of Editor in Chief, and has coached hundreds of colleagues, into senior positions.
Rosemary Kemigisha, UHRC: Kemigisha was recognised for her outstanding efforts and dedication in simplifying human rights jargon, and ably linking human rights work to media and development.
Gorretti Kyeswa, NBS: Ms Kyeswa was recognised for outstanding efforts and dedication in Media and Communication. She is one of the long-serving and dedicated female journalists in the Region.
Long-serving Ladies in the Media and Communication Industry and have mentored several people
Linda Nabusayi: Ms Nabusayi was recognised for her outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and Public Affairs area when balancing Politics and the Media.
Nalongo Rose Bukirwa, UBC: Ms Bukirwa was recognised for her efforts and dedication in the Media and Communication Industry. She has continuously provided the role model with every young female journalist would wish for.
Helen Kawesa, Parliament of Uganda: Ms. Kawesa was recognised for her outstanding efforts and dedication to represent and protect the image of the Parliament. She is such a fantastic Media and Public Relations Practitioner.
Esther Wamala, CBS: Ms. Wamala was recognised for providing time and energy to mentor and coach tens of journalists within Media outlets under the Buganda Kingdom.
Catherine Ageno, NMG: Ms Ageno was recognised for offering several years of practice in the broadcast industry, offering precious time and energy to mentor hundreds of female journalists. Allocating her personal time to train staff and volunteers of Mama FM has not gone unnoticed.
Doreen Ndeezi, UBC: Ms Ndeezi was recognised for her outstanding efforts and dedication to Media and Communication and for being one of the few long-serving female Editors; and for providing guidance and protection to the young ones.
Hajjati Rehema Ndagire, UBC: Hajjati Ndagire was recognised for her outstanding service and dedication to broadcasting for over thirty-six (36) years. She was the first Hajjati DJ in Uganda and the Kiswahili programme has availed to the listeners over the years in addition to the mentorship.
Carol Beyanga, NMC: Ms Beyanga was recognised for her outstanding service and dedication to the media and communication Industry. “Carol, you are one of the most dependable people in media, just a call away to fix this and that. Carol, we celebrate your dedication to mentoring hundreds of journalists.”
Frontline Reporting
Hon. Shiela Kawamara Mishambi: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and Communication field. Hon. Kawamara is the first Ugandan woman journalist to report from the War zone and has coached several women.
Gloria Laker Aciiro Adiiki: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to report in the Jungles of War and bring a holistic story to the Ugandan and global audience. Her name is synonymous with Peace Journalism!
Managing Stations
Jane Angom, SPEAK FM: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in Media and Communication. Ms Angom has successfully led and transformed a Community Radio into a Social Enterprise! And this has been for over fourteen years (14 years).
Catherine Apalat, Mama FM: Awarded for efforts and dedication in managing a Radio Station for over 15 years!
Sylvia Nankya, URN: Awarded for efforts and dedication for standing out in the crowd and managing diverse teams to accomplish a good story.
Mentorship
Sarah Mawerere, UBC: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and for Mentorship. Sarah has spent over 20 years, selflessly training interns in Radio Journalism.
Linda Kibombo: Awarded for efforts and dedication in mentoring several upcoming journalists.
Eunice Nankwanga: Awarded for offering mentorship and coaching, especially to Female Journalists in Radio and Television.
Innovation
Eseza Omwana Omuto Kaana: Awarded for pioneering Children’s content on Radio and Television.
Sarah Kagingo: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and the Digital space industry. Ms Kagingo has pioneered Online publishing in Uganda through soft power which offers balanced coverage of issues and is an outstanding online publication.
Prossy Kawala: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and Community work. Ms Kawala founded the Center for Media Literacy and Community Development (CEMCOD) ten years ago and continues to train and provide a platform for local communities.
Jolly Mbambu: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making Radio friendly and accessible to the rural folk. Keep working on your Dream of starting a Radio Station in Kasese.
Sarah Nakasenge Oringa: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others especially Persons living with Disabilities.
Jan Ajwang: Awarded for starting and sustaining an Initiative “Media Week” and revising the Editors’ Guild in Uganda.
Patra Kirungi: Awarded for creating a platform for Female Journalists in the Region. Several sisters have managed Journalism because of her.
Hard Stuff
Mildred Tuhaise, NBS TV: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media industry. For over ten years, she has resiliently stayed on the Television screen and demystified it for women.
Isabella Tugume, NBS TV: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making a difference in the lives of the local communities and demystifying the hard economic topics.
Ritah Kemigisa, NMG: Awarded for standing out in the crowd as she takes on Tough topics with Tough, sometimes stubborn Resource Persons.
Investigative
Culton Scovia Nakamya, BBS: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to produce impactful Investigative Stories.
Community
Faridah Nakazibwe, NTV: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making a difference in the lives of the least heard and supporting them to pick up their pieces, heal, Connect and grow!
Lucky Mbabazi, Capital FM: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making a difference in the lives of Ugandans. Ms Mbabazi chose to be bold on issues that many shy away from.
Resilience
Josephine Namakumbi, NBS TV: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and Communication Industry. Ms Namakumbi became even more resilient after she suffered physical police brutality in 2021.
Irene Abalo, NMG: Awarded for not giving up on the profession, even after having been physically and emotionally assaulted by the Police in 2021.
Yudaya Nangonzi, The Observer: Awarded for efforts and dedication to producing in-depth Features. Her choice to grow within the ranks of The Observer isn’t in vain. She has also offered mentorship to colleagues.
Daring and Brave
Agatha Atuhaire: Awarded for being a Daring, Consistent, and Objective Journalist, of the Time.
Jocylynne Nakibuule, Spark TV: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to Media and Communication. “Ms Nakibuule, we recognize you for your dedication, and innovativeness to voice the issues of ordinary Women; and for the rare bravery you exhibited on November 19th, 2020 is what makes you more outstanding. We applaud you for having staked your life to secure the life of another amidst all the gunshots.”
Press Freedom
Charity Ahimbisibwe-Kalebbo: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in ever staking out her neck to fight for Press Freedom.
Transition
Hon. Judith Nabakooba: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in the Media and Civil Service area. Hon. Nabakooba inspired several female journalists into joining the Police Force.
Founding Leaders/Chairpersons
Harriet Namwebya: Awarded for foresightedness that enabled the formation of the Uganda Media Women’s Association in 1983. UMWA is what it is because she was the Founding Chairperson!
Victoria Nalongo Namusisi: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication in reviving the Association in 1994. Nalongo Victoria laid yet another ground for the growth of UMWA.
Jane Nabunya: Awarded for efforts and dedication in bringing professionalism into Uganda Media Women’s Association.
Jane Kyomuhendo: Awarded for efforts and dedication in steering the Association for 6 good years.
Lifetime Achievement
Margaret Sentamu: Awarded for outstanding efforts and dedication to making a difference in the lives of women through the media for gender equity.