Benon Herbert Oluka, Chief Judge of the Uganda National Journalism Awards 2024
31 July 2024, Mestil Hotel, Kampala
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2024 Uganda National Journalism Awards. I greet you all on behalf of the awards judges and wish to extend our vote of thanks to the African Centre for Media Excellence for continued excellence in media capacity building in Uganda and beyond, including with these awards. ACME has been steadfast in keeping these awards alive for a decade, despite the challenges that come with such an undertaking. Please join me in congratulating ACME on the 10th anniversary of these coveted awards.
Introduction
My name is Benon Herbert Oluka, and this is my second year serving as the Chief Judge of these awards. During the day, I work with the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) as the Africa Editor. GIJN is the largest global network for non-profit investigative journalism organisations — with 250 member groups in 91 countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we have 23 member organisations, and early this year, GIJN welcomed the African Centre for Media Excellence into our network as a fully registered member. So, I would like to thank ACME again, this time for honouring the invitation I made last year for organisations in Uganda to join GIJN.
New information from GIJN
Before I speak about the judging process for this year’s awards, allow me to share some new information from GIJN. This information is hot off the press, so listen carefully. In the second half of 2025, GIJN will host the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Later this year, we will publish a call for fellowship applications to attend that conference. I encourage all the journalists here tonight to plan to join us in Malaysia – and I will certainly make a case for the overall winner tonight to be part of GIJC25. Watch out for that fellowship call.
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Judging process
This evening, I am privileged to speak to you on behalf of the 15 judges who studiously scrutinised the entries submitted for this year’s awards and came up with the list of finalists and, ultimately, the winners. Due to time constraints, I won’t read out the names of all the judges, but I will request them to stand up for recognition and commendation.
This year, we sought to recognise not only the outstanding work of individual journalists but also the contributions of media houses. As you may recall, we were unable to award institutions last year due to certain criteria not being met. It is therefore gratifying to acknowledge the progress made, with two media houses receiving awards this year.
Changes in the awards
As you have heard already, we have tweaked the awards again this year in a bid to improve the judging process. Consequently, the topical categories within the UNJAs for 2024 are considering a body of work rather than a single entry. So, although we thoroughly examined each individual piece within the body of work, we also adopted a more comprehensive assessment of the submitted bodies of work to fully evaluate their collective impact and thematic coherence.
Judges’ comments and insights
1. A significant number of entries were disqualified for non-compliance with the competition rules, primarily the requirement for a body of work rather than a single piece and the restriction to one category per submission. This substantially reduced the pool of eligible entries.
2. The change in participation criteria clearly posed a challenge for many journalists across Uganda who, by circumstance or choice, do not specialise in specific beats. This means that many are unable to develop the sources, knowledge, and expertise required to report in-depth on particular subjects. While the panel recognised the realities of newsrooms, which often demand generalists, it is essential to consider how this trend might impact the depth and breadth of journalism, especially in the social media age where generalists are increasingly competing with the democratisation of news and information.
3. Undoubtedly exceptional bodies of work were submitted. However, a recurring issue was the lack of consistency within many entries. Several series and follow-up stories presented a fragmented narrative, lacking the depth and cohesion that would be expected from a focused exploration of a subject. In addition, when journalists submitted unrelated pieces, the overall quality was inconsistent, with varying levels of investigative rigour and analytical depth. This was often manifested in superficial reporting and an overreliance on the ‘usual suspects’, limiting the breadth of voices and perspectives in the stories.
4. A notable deficiency lay in the realm of innovative storytelling and presentation. The judges observed a need for greater experimentation with diverse formats and platforms to enhance audience engagement. This is increasingly crucial in today’s competitive media landscape.
5. Despite these shortcomings, the competition showcased exceptional work in several areas. Public accountability, community journalism, political reporting, and environment reporting were particularly strong.
6. A number of journalists making their competition debut this year not only progressed to the judging stage but were also counted among the finalists. This is a testament to the wealth of young, ambitious talent emerging across Uganda. This is a positive sign for the future of Ugandan journalism, demonstrating a new generation of newspersons eager to tackle complex issues and compete at the highest level.
7. The continued participation of journalists who have been involved in the Uganda National Journalism Awards since its inception in 2014 is encouraging. Their sustained engagement in the competition highlights its significance within the industry. The presence of these experienced journalists underscores the awards’ role as a platform for ongoing professional development. Their participation also demonstrates that the pursuit of excellence is a continuous endeavour. Awards such as the Uganda National Journalism Awards provide a benchmark for journalistic work and offer opportunities for professional growth beyond the daily news cycle.
8. The categories of public works and infrastructure, and science and technology received very few entries, with only a handful meeting the criteria for judging. Nonetheless, the submissions that advanced were evaluated for their impact, investigative depth, and public interest. These topics are crucial to Uganda’s development, and robust journalism in these areas is essential for holding authorities accountable and informing the public. The judges encourage journalists across Uganda to develop these areas as reporting beats given their centrality in national progress, and we look forward to receiving more entries in these categories next year.
9. The arts category was regrettably underwhelming this year, with no entries achieving the requisite 70% threshold for shortlisting. This outcome is particularly troubling given the historical strength of this category, with past winners often ranking among the competition’s finest. The arts, as one judge poignantly observed, are frequently the “stepchild” within newsrooms, neglected and undervalued. Yet, the arts are a vital component of society, reflecting our culture, shaping our identities, and serving as a powerful lens through which to examine social issues. It is imperative that media organisations and journalists recognise the arts’ significance and dedicate greater resources to this crucial area of coverage. By investing in arts journalism, the media can contribute to a more informed, engaged, and culturally rich public.
10. While the competition showcased commendable work, it also highlighted a tendency among some journalists to cover well-trodden ground due to a lack of innovation. For instance, education stories often revolved around school dropouts, overlooking potential themes such as teacher absenteeism, curriculum relevance, or the impact of technology on learning. Similarly, agriculture reporting frequently focused on adulterated pesticides, neglecting issues like climate change adaptation, food security, or agribusiness development. In the category of urbanisation and human settlements, land wrangles dominated narratives, overshadowing critical topics such as urban migration, transportation challenges, housing affordability, and the impact of urbanisation on rural areas. The judges seek journalism that not only informs audiences about familiar issues but also unveils hidden stories and provides insights into the complexities of these topics.
11. There was a noticeable absence of diversity in terms of sources, voices and perspectives in many entries submitted for competition. Journalism with the power to truly resonate must reflect the multifaceted nature of society, giving voice to a wide range of experiences, opinions, and identities. While some entries made commendable efforts in this regard, many fell short of showcasing the depth and breadth of Uganda’s diverse population. A truly representative media landscape requires journalists to seek out and amplify the voices of those often overlooked, challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. The use of diverse sources can enhance the credibility and accuracy of reporting, providing a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
12. A significant and encouraging development this year was the substantial increase in participation by female journalists. For the first time in the history of the Uganda National Journalism Awards, women represented over 30% of entrants. This milestone is crucial for enhancing the awards’ credibility and relevance, and it suggests a growing interest among female journalists in participating in competitive platforms at the national level. While the number of female finalists was relatively small, their participation is nonetheless vital in inspiring future generations of women journalists.
13. The institutional awards category of the Uganda National Journalism Awards aims to recognise and reward media organisations for excellence in editorial transformation, innovation, and best practices. These awards are crucial as they highlight the role of media houses in shaping the media landscape and driving industry standards. By showcasing their initiatives in areas such as editorial policy, diversity and inclusion, and digital transformation, media organisations can inspire others to adopt similar approaches.
14. Although we have winners in the institutional category, participation in the institutional categories was still low this year. It is essential for media houses to seize this opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to journalistic excellence and to contribute to the overall growth of the industry. From Moroto to Mukono, Busia to Bundibugyo, media organisations of all sizes, both independent, legacy, or new media, are undertaking commendable initiatives to improve their operations, enhance their impact, and serve their audiences better. It is disheartening that more organisations were not willing or unable to share their achievements through this platform. By showcasing their work, media houses can inspire others and contribute to the overall elevation of the industry.
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Closing remarks
In closing, allow me, on behalf of the judges, to commend once again everyone who entered their work to the UNJA 2024 contest. We celebrate you because you were confident and brave enough to put your work out there for scrutiny – and that alone demonstrates your faith in your abilities as a journalist. We applaud you for that decision. Thank you very much.
We also would like to encourage more journalists and media houses nationwide to submit their best stories for the 2025 awards. Thank you very much, and congratulations, everyone, for making this wonderful day happen!
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