CLOSED — Investigative journalism fellowships

Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

Available slots: 15 per location 

The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) invites applications from Ugandan journalists for a fellowship programme on investigative journalism. The programme involves a five-day training workshop — designed to equip journalists with skills to discover, uncover and report stories nobody else has — and subsequently networking meetings with media owners and managers. 

About the course 

Participants will learn how to use investigative tools to uncover information that is concealed either deliberately by someone in a position of power, or accidentally behind a chaotic mass of facts and circumstances, and analyse and expose all relevant facts to the public.  They will learn how to ask meaningful questions and how to source material. Participants will also be coached in best journalism practices and the most effective way to structure and present their stories. The trained journalists will also join some media managers and owners twice a year for two days of networking — sharing experience and peer-to-peer learning. 

Why should you apply for the fellowship?

The fellowship offers journalists an opportunity to take time out from the newsroom to enhance their investigative journalism skills. Participants will examine what investigative journalism is, how to conceive, research and write investigative stories – recognizing when something should be a long-term project; basic criteria for launching into the story; testing and retesting the hypothesis throughout the investigation; and shifting direction when the reporting dictates that the story direction has changed. They will also be asked to think about possible investigative projects they want to work on upon their return to the workplace, using the lessons learned during the course.

Who is eligible?

The fellowship is open to all print, television, radio, and online journalists from the different parts of Uganda and who have more than two years of experience working as reporters. Applicants are required to select one location that is preferable, but in any case we expect journalists from West Nile to apply to the Arua training workshop; those from western Uganda to select Fort Portal; and the rest to act as the case maybe. Female journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are expected to negotiate with their supervisors for time away from their places of work. ACME will not pay a per diem to participants, but will fund learning and transport costs for all, as well as accommodation for those based outside the training location.

All participants are required to attend in full all five days of the training workshop.

Application procedure 

• All applications should be made online. To access the application form, click here. 
• All applicants are required to submit a letter of support from their immediate editorial supervisors. Lack of this letter of editorial support immediately disqualifies an applicant.
• All applicants are required to submit at least three samples of published or broadcast stories.

For further inquiries about this course, please write to training@acme-ug.org.