B4FA Media Fellows – Uganda

Alex Nsubuga – Researcher, Programmer and Producer; CBS Radio.  Alex Nsubuga attained a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication and a certificate in Investigative Journalism. He is currently a senior journalist with Central Broadcasting Service, producing and researching about Progress on Agricultural Science, Technology and Politics for both 88.8 FM and 89.2 FM. Alex is also a freelance reporter with Sunrise Newspaper, the Daily Monitor and Uganda Radio Network. He is also studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Investigative Journalism.

Bwambale M Rogers – Presenter, Reporter and Newsreader; Kasese Guide Radio.  Bwambale Rogers attained a Diploma in Journalism before finding work as a Radio Presenter with Messiah Radio. He is currently working at Kasese Guide Radio as senior presenter, news reporter, talk show host and assistant Marketing Officer.

Christopher Bendana – Features Writer, Vision Group Uganda.  Christopher attained a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication, followed by a one year internship at the Observer newspaper in Kampala as a reporter. He has also worked as a Freelance writer, before his current role writing features pieces with the Vision Group.

Edward Sserinya – Features Writer, New Vision – Bukedde Print Department.  Edward attained a BA Degree in Mass Communication, following which he undertook internship training with the Uganda Media Women’s Association, publishing articles on Agriculture and Health. He has worked as a photojournalist on farming pages, health and general features. Edward has also undertaken several specialist training programmes, including a 5 day training on health reporting organized by the Makerere School of Public Health/CDC fellowship program, and training on general election reporting at the American Embassy in Kampala.

Esther Wamala – News Editor, CBS Radio.   Esther attained a Bachelors Degree in Development Studies and Diploma in Journalism. She is currently working at Central Broadcasting Services Limited as an assistant News Editor and researcher for various radio projects.

Francis Kagolo – New Vision.  Francis attained a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication and a postgraduate certificate in Analytical Reporting, Digital Journalism and Strategic Communication before commencing work with the Vision Group in Uganda. He has won a number of accolades, including best Agribusiness/Environment African Journalist of the Year award from the Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards in London UK, and a certificate of appreciation from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and the Stockholm International Water Institute of Sweden. A founding member of Hunger Fighters Uganda, Francis has undergone training in Hunger Management and Leadership for Food Security, from the UN WFP and USAID. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma in Investigative Journalism.

Gerald Tenywa – Senior reporter, New Vision.  Gerald holds a Bachelors Degree in Forestry, and a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Journalism. He has also participated in media training courses on climate change and Millennium Development Goals 1, 3 and 7 sponsored by the UN Environment Programme. Currently he is a senior reporter with the New Vision specializing in environment issues.

Henry Lutaaya – Editor, Sunrise Newspaper.  Henry attained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mass Communication, during which he specialized in print journalism. He also holds certificates in Investigative Reporting, Applied French (including a Diplome de Langue), and in Public Speaking. Henry is currently a news editor for the Sunrise newspaper, and also serves as Treasurer of the Uganda Science Journalists Association.

Isaac Wafula Khisa – The East African, Kampala.  Isaac Khisa is a Ugandan business journalist working with the Nation Media Group’s “East African” newspaper. Following special training in journalism in Nairobi with Nation Media Group, he worked with Monitor Publications Limited in Kampala as a freelance journalist, focusing on hard and soft news reporting, before moving to his current position. He has participated in the journalism training courses on climate change by the British Council Uganda and analytical news reporting by Makerere University.

Kasooha Ismail – Producer, presenter and news editor, Kagadi Kabale Community Radio.   Kasooha Ismail attained a National Diploma in Journalism. He works with Kagadi Kibale Community Radio as a presenter and producer of agricultural programmes, as well as a news reporter and news editor. He also serves as a reporter for the Vision Group of companies. He also works in partnership with Farm Radio International and the African Farm Radio Research Initiative.

Lominda Afedraru – Freelance, Monitor Group Publications.  Lominda attained a higher diploma in Marketing but studied short courses in environmental reporting. She also completed a short training course in rural agricultural reporting courtesy of the International Women’s Media Foundation in the United States Of America. After undergoing a science reporting mentoring programme, she began to speialise more in this direction. Now the Secretary General of the Uganda Science Journalists Association, Lominda currently works with the Monitor Publications as a freelance journalist writing articles on Agriculture, ICT, Health, Environment and Climate Change.

Mafaranga Hope – New Vision.  Mafaranga Hope attained a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication and a certificate in Guidance and Counselling, before working with Voice of Africa, Buddu Broadcasting Services Radio, and Rwenzori FM Radio as a programmes producer and presenter, and now with the New Vision. Hope has participated in training on health and community reporting.

Michael Ssali – Bureau Chief, Daily Monitor.  Michael trained as a secondary school teacher specializing in English and Fine Art. In 1981, while in Nairobi, he trained as a journalist and wrote articles for the Daily Nation and Kenya Times. He returned to Uganda to work with the New Vision. Michael has a Gemini sponsored course in Development Journalism in Dar-es-Salaam, and enrolled for a 2 year course in Agricultural Reporting. Following successful completion, he writes articles on the Farmer’s Diary, a column in the Daily Monitor every Wednesday. Michael also heads up the Masaka Bureau of the Daily Monitor.

Odong Jamesbond – Etop Radio and Newspaper, Soroti.  Jamesbond attained a diploma in journalism and Mass Communication and is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Public Relations and Media Management. He has worked with Vision Group’s Radio Department before being attached to Etop Radio as a programmes producer and presenter. He is a writer for Etop Newspaper covering areas of Agriculture and environment.

Paschal Boris Bagonza – Reporter, Editor and Presenter; Radio Sapientia, Kampala.  Paschal attained a Bachelors Degree in Guidance, Counseling and Psychology, as well as Diploma in Journalism and Media studies. He has attended trainings in climate change, environment and water integrity. He is News Editor /Producer at Radio Sapientia (Social Communications Department, Uganda Catholic Secretariat), as well as a member of the Water Journalists Africa and Biodiversity Media Alliance. A science reporter with a focus on water reporting and climate change, Paschal also serves as a UN online volunteer writing education articles. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Comparative Social Work.

Ronald Kato – Reporter/Presenter, Bukedde FM Radio.  Ronald is a radio journalist at Bukedde FM. He also serves as a reporter for Catholic FM Radio Sapientia, and the features and magazines desk of Vision Voice. He has had involvement with both “Harvesting Money”, the premier English language farming show on Radio, and with the farming program “Kungula”

Sarah Natoolo – Reporter/Producer, UBC.  A journalist by profession, Sarah Natoolo is working with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. In addition to her role as reporter covering Parliament on number of issues including committees and plenary sessions, Sarah is passionate about covering agricultural, technology and environmental issues.

Saudha Nakandha – Reporter, New Vision.  Saudha Nakandha has attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication. Her current role sees her working as a freelance reporter and writer, mainly covering material for the New Vision Group of Companies.

Stella Nassuna – Freelance, Vision Group. Stella attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication. She completed her internship at Spirit FM in Production, Technical, On Air and Public Relations, and has attended a workshop on capacity building for journalists. She is currently working with Vision Group of Companies as a freelance writer, mainly covering the commodities market.

Vincent Paul Mayanja – Integrated Regional Information Network, Uganda.  Vincent attained a diploma in journalism in 1991, and Bachelors degree in Development Studies from Makerere University. He won an award from the International Network of Young Journalists in 1989 at Ruhpolding Germany. He worked as a stringer with the Associated Press before becoming the country’s correspondent of Agence France Presse (APF) which covers news in Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also works as a stringer with the Integrated Regional Information Network (RIN) of the United Nations Office for coordination of Humanitarian Activities.

2013 FELLOWS

Adiah Nakuti – Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Television.  Adiah is a Ugandan by nationality, and is 29 years of age. She attended university education at the Islamic University in Uganda and holds a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication. She is currently working for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation as a news reporter for the Television

Charles Kazooba – Africa News Group.   Charles is a journalist by profession and an entrepreneur by purpose. He studied Journalism and Media Management (Diploma) 2001 at the Grotius School of Law and Media Studies, Human Rights (certificate) at Makerere University in 2000 and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Laws Degree at Kampala International University. He has also attended several short courses in Journalism over time. He started as a freelance reporter with Vision Group (2002) and on to The Stream publications (2003-2005) as a sub editor before joining The New Times (Rwanda) as a n editorial team leader at the Kampala Bureau later joined the East African/Nation Media Group as a Special Correspondent for parliamentary news. He manages News of East Africa which produces monthly print and online publications.

Cliff Abenaitwe – Radio West, Mbarara.  Cliff Abenaitwe is a journalist and has been working with Radio West Mbarara for the last 4 years. He is 25 years old and has a Bachelor’s degree of Mass Communication from Makerere University Kampala and other trainings in counseling, public speaking, health and crime reporting. The eldest in a family of four, Cliff has special interests in writing about farming, health, water, business and environment. He is currently the business news Editor at Radio West and a blogger.

Craig Kadoda – NTV Uganda.  Craig studied at Aga Khan High School, Uganda Christian Uganda. He works with Nation Media Group’s NTV in Uganda.

David Livingstone Okurut – Kyoga Veritas Radio, Soroti.  David was born in the current Ngora district in eastern Uganda in 1978 and completed his Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication in United Media Consultants and Training School of Journalism and Mass Communication, before enrolling for undergraduate studies in Mass Communication and Public Relations in Cavendish University, Uganda. He is currently employed by Kyoga Veritas Radio as a programme manager and a presenter.

David Mafabi – Bureau Chief – Mbale, Monitor Publications Ltd.  David holds a BSc in Mass Communication and a Diploma in Secondary Education (Literature and English). He started working with Daily Monitor as a freelance in 2004, raised from this position to that of a retainer (correspondent) before he became a staff reporter and later a Bureau Chief in charge of Eastern region covering five sub-regions: Sebei, Karamoja, Teso, Bugisu and Bukedde with 32 districts. He is a 2007 winner of the Uganda Investigative Journalism Awards, Eastern Region (Print), and a health fellow from Makerere University school of Health Sciences 2012. He also holds various certificates in environmental journalism, human rights, child rights, investigative journalism, democracy and good governance.

Diana Wanyana – KFM/Dembe FM Radio.  Diana has a diploma in mass communication and journalism. She is pursuing a degree in social sciences. SHe has a particular interest in science and agricultural reporting in broadcast media.

Florence Naluyimbe – NTV Uganda.  Flora is a senior health and science reporter with NTV Uganda. She graduated with a First Class Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and French from Makerere University Kampala in January 2008. She also has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from Multimedia College in Kenya, masterly in TV scripting, video editing and camera operation. She started her Journalism career while working as an English Sub-Editor for Flash FM station in Kigali, Rwanda for a month in 2009. In December 2009, she joined The Nation Media Group, with a particular focus on science and health.

Grace Kengoro Kyomugisha – UBC Television.  A Ugandan by nationality, Grace is 40 years of age, and started broadcasting on television in 1999. Since then she has focussed particularly on producing agricultural programs on television, worked for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation TV. She has a bachelors degree in social sciences, and a UNEB diploma in Journalism

Herbert Musoke – Bukedde Newspaper.  Herbert is a journalist and has worked for five years for Bukedde newspaper. He also reports for the New Vision paper as a Features’ Reporter which covers Farming, General features, Motor mart, Business and Health. He is a graduate of Kyambogo University with a Bachelors Degree of Development Studies

Joseph Akiiso – ETOP Radio.  Joseph is currently working with Vision Group, a multi media organizatio,n as the station manager of the business unit Etop radio. He also has experience of programme management, presenting and marketing from several other media houses. He has hands on multimedia experience in both community and urban media. He has the passion of using media for community engagement. Joseph has enjoyed working with community radio programming to foster change through providing the community a platform for information sharing and debate.

Joshua Mutale – Radio Simba.  Joshua is 26 years of age, attained a diploma in Journalism and began work as a local journalist for Radio Simba. He is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in industrial and organizational psychology at Makerere University. He has a six years experience in different fields of journalism such as Politics, health and environment.

Paul Lubwama – Bukedde FM, Kampala.  Paul is a graduate of Bishop Sisto Mazzoldi Secondary School, and the Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies. He worked at NBS Radio Station in Jinja, before moving to his current role in Kampala, working for Bukedde FM Radio.

Richard Katongole – Sunrise Newspaper.  Working for the sunrise newspaper, Richard has been into media for four years now. Three years part timing and one fully committed to freelancing. He has been a general writer and a photographer contributing to the Save Media House. He is also graduating from Ndejje University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Other skills he has include cartoon drawing, videography and writing.

Richard Katami Bwayo – UBC Radio Uganda.  Richard Katami Bwayo has worked for Radio Uganda for over 15 years. He is a presenter and programme producer and has a particular interest and specialisation in agricultural and environmental programming.

Ronald Musoke – The Independent.  Ronald possesses more than five years of journalism experience and currently reports for The Independent newspaper. His field of specialization is environmental reporting. After finishing his Bachelor of Arts studies in 2004, he started his journalism practice with a small newspaper, The Eye. Between 2006 and 2007, he went back to Makerere University to specialize in Environmental Journalism and Communication from where he graduated in 2008 with a Post Graduate Diploma. He went on to work for two years with one of the leading environmental magazines in the East African region, EnviroConserve AFRICA. He has also worked with The Green Chronicles Magazine and also freelanced with The Sunrise. He also contributes as guest writer to The New Vision, Uganda’s biggest daily newspaper.

Rose Namale – Radio One/Akaboosi.  Rose Namale is a journalist and broadcaster by profession and is currently working with Radio One and Radio Two Akaboozi. She particularly specialises in reporting on science.

Sarah Mawerere – UBC Radio Uganda.  35 years of age, Sarah is a radio broadcaster working for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Radio. She has worked for UBC for the last 10 years. She currently works as a radio producer and presenter awith a particular focus on coverage of health and agriculture.

Tyaba Ssettumba Abubakar – NBS Television.  Aged 30, an employee with NBS TV in Kampala, Tyaba Ssettumba Abubakar is currently the features editor, having risen through the ranks over the years. His interests lie mainly in reporting agriculture, health and the environment. He occasionally reports at parliament. He is also the state house reporter at NBS radio station. He attained a bachelors degree in tourism from Makerere University, Kampala.

William Odinga Balikuddembe – Uganda Science Journalists Association.  Born in Luweero in 1978, William is a journalist, researcher, writer and film maker by profession. He enjoys farming and construction.