International Women’s Day is here! Its worth to acknowledging Inspiring Women Journalists in Uganda. The Inspiring Women journalists who have broken barriers. Defied the odds in male-dominated industries. One such industry being Uganda’s media industry.
They have made significant strides. And continue to pave the way for others to follow. The inspiring Women Journalists have risen to positions of leadership. Taken influential roles in television, radio, and print media.
The women Journalists have achieved professional success. But also inspired others through their leadership and societal contributions.
Barbara Kaija, is the Editor-in-Chief of the New Vision. Uganda’s leading daily newspapers. she is among the top Inspiring Women journalists in Uganda.
Barbara has been in the media industry for over 25 years. She has risen through the ranks. She is the first female Editor-in-Chief in the New Vision’s history.
Barbara has introduced new sections and features to the newspaper during her tenure. She has made it more engaging and relevant to its readers.
She has also mentored and encouraged young journalists to pursue careers in journalism. Thereby promoting gender equality in the industry.
In 2018, she won an international award. Recognition from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The award was for her excellent leadership in the newsroom.
She has coached and groomed many journalists in Uganda. Kaija has overseen the quality and house style of editorial products.
She holds a master’s degree in journalism and Media studies from Rhodes University. A post-graduate Diploma in Practical Journalism from the Thompson Foundation, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Before she became a journalist, Barbara was a high school teacher.
To this effect, she holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Makerere University. And a master’s degree in education from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Agnes Asiimwe Konde, a former Managing Director of Africa Broadcasting Uganda Limited (ABUL). This a subsidiary of Nation Media Group and owner of Nation TV Uganda (NTV Uganda).
Konde is among the most Inspiring Women journalists
She is one of Uganda’s most prominent female media leaders.
Konde made history by becoming the first woman to serve as Director of a major station in Uganda.
She worked to transform the station’s programming and infrastructure.
Through her work, Agnes also advocated for women’s rights and gender equality. She provided a platform for women’s voices.
At NTV Uganda, she oversaw the launch of Spark TV, a female-focused station. And the launch of a video-on-demand platform for NTV Uganda.
Konde is also credited for championing local productions. The most popular of which is an adaptation of the Telemundo soap opera, El Cuerpo del Deseo (Second Chance).
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Margaret Ssetamu is the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA). UMWA is a non-profit organization based in Kampala, Uganda.
UMWA started in 1983 dedicated to promoting the rights of women journalists.
Margaret Ssetamu has been an instrumental figure in the work of UMWA. She has led the organization’s efforts to empower journalists and promote gender equality.
Under her leadership, UMWA has undertaken a range of activities. These include; training and capacity-building programs for women journalists. Advocacy and lobbying for gender-sensitive media policies. Research and documentation of issues related to gender and media.
Ssetamu is also a vocal advocate for the safety and protection of women journalists. Especially those who often face harassment, discrimination, and violence in their work.
She has worked with other civil society organizations and government agencies. To promote a safe and enabling environment for women in the media industry.
Before UMWA, Ssetamu worked as a journalist and media trainer, with a focus on women’s rights.
She also involved in several regional and international networks and initiatives. This aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Her dedication and commitment have made a significant impact. Especially on the lives and careers of countless women journalists in Uganda. Her contributions to the field of media and gender is appreciated.
Joyce Bagala is a former news manager at Next Media, NBS television. Bagala is such an inspirational female journalist.
In the 2021 general election, she became Women’s Representative for Mityana District 2021-2026.
Bagala joined NBS TV in 2016 and has been the flagship anchor of Amasengejje. She also worked at Radio One Uganda.
Bagala worked as a news reader in English at Beat FM, Buddu FM, and Sanyu FM. She started anchoring Luganda news at Sanyu FM.
Her work in the media has inspired not only journalists but all women to pursue their dreams.
Maria Kiwanuka is the proprietor and General Manager of the popular Radio One and Akaboozi Ku Bbiri. She is an inspiring woman in media due to her entrepreneurship mind.
Her business skills have not only inspired women but also provided employment to hundreds of journalists, reporters, and media people working with Radio One.
Together with members of her family, she founded businesses in the areas of broadcasting, publishing, real estate, and economic consulting.
She has served as a financial adviser to the Nabagereka of Buganda since the early 2000s.
In a cabinet reshuffle on 1 March 2015, she was dropped from Cabinet and appointed Senior Financial Advisor to the President.
She has over the years served as a non-executive director of the board at Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited, the Agha Khan Foundation, Nkumba University, and Uganda Development Bank.
Since leaving the Ugandan cabinet in 2015, she has served as chairperson of the board of United Bank for Africa Uganda Limited.
As of May 2022, she sits on the board of Standard Chartered Uganda, as a non-executive member, since May 2021.
In May 2022, Maria Kiwanuka was appointed chairperson of the board at Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL), an affiliate of Airtel Uganda and the provider of Airtel Money Uganda.
Josephine Karungi, is former head of news at NTV. From 1 October 2018 until 30 March 2021. This is before joining World Bank as a media and communications consultant.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Makerere University.
Karungi joined NTV Uganda as a news anchor in 2009. she produced and hosted Perspective with Josephine Karungi. This show that dissected “issues that affect the everyday person.
In 2017, the Daily Monitor named her, one of “Uganda’s most likely influential people in 2017”.
Rosebell Kagumire is another inspiring women journalist. She worked as a reporter for the Daily Monitor. Uganda Radio Network. And NTV Uganda.
She was involved in filming, script writing, and news story production while at NTV Uganda.
Kagumire worked for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting in Uganda (IWPR).
As a reporter, Rosebell also contributed to The Independent News magazine.
She worked as the East African Editor for CH16.org and an Inter Press Services contributor.
Kagumire won the Anna Guèye 2018 award. This was for her advocacy for digital democracy. Justice, and equality by Africtiviste. This is a network of African activists.
The World Economic Forum recognized her as one of the Young Global Leaders under the age of 40 in 2013. This was for her advocacy on social justice issues.
In 2012 she was one of Foreign Policy Magazine’s “100 women to follow on Twitter”.
Her blog won the Waxal – Blogging Africa Awards. This was the first African journalist blogging awards. Hosted by Panos Institute of West Africa in 2009.
Ugandan Investigative Journalism Awards recognized Kagumire for reporting on peace and security. Awards hosted by the Makerere University Department of Mass Communication.
She became the Communications Officer for The Women’s International Peace Centre. In 2010.
Kagumire also worked as the coordinator for the Africans Act for Africa (AA4A).
Carol Beyanga is the Head of Mentorship,Partnerships at Nation Media Group Uganda. She is undoubtedly an inspirational female journalist.
She became Managing Editor of Daily Monitor in January 2015.
Beyanga joined Daily Monitor in 2003. Worked as a sub-editor. Deputy features editor. Features editor and more recently, special projects editor.
Before, she did freelance work for The Sunrise, a weekly newspaper, and had a one-week stint at New Vision.
Some of the tasks she accomplished at Monitor include reviving the Sqoop website. Launching the My Wedding online magazine, and redesigning The Monitor website.
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Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, is the acting Head of Department of Journalism and Communication. She is also among the most inspiring women journalists in Uganda.
Nakiwala is also a Lecturer in the Department of Journalism, Makerere University. She holds a Ph.D in Communication (Makerere and Örebro Universities).
Aisha has undertaken further training in media and communication with other institutions. These include; AfriComNet and the Salzburg Academy, where she was a fellow in 2008.
She has before worked as a researcher on projects commissioned by NARO. UNESCO, Sida and WHO.
Dr Nakiwala has particular interest in research related to communication and social protection. As well as community participation, health and social change.
She is currently engaged in a Deutsche Welle funded regional research project. The research is on Media and Information Literacy among Young People in East Africa.
These women are a few of the women who have shown that gender is not a barrier to success. Especially in the media industry. Their achievements inspire other women to pursue careers in journalism and media.
They have also challenged the stereotypes and biases. They have, paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse media landscape.
https://acme-ug.org/2022/12/15/acme-recognises-two-inspiring-female-journalists/
