The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has awarded reporting grants totaling just over UGX 40 million to 20 journalists across Uganda for in-depth investigations into public accountability and transparency. The grants aim to empower reporters to uncover systemic governance challenges, hold institutions accountable, and highlight issues that directly affect citizens’ lives.
The grants are part of the Media Support for Public Accountability and Civic Engagement (M-SPACE) project, implemented under the Partnership on Accountability and Civic Engagement (PACER), a multi-donor programme supported by the governments of Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and the Netherlands. Running from July 2024 to December 2027, M-SPACE is designed to strengthen a resilient and inclusive media that empowers citizens to engage in governance and democratic processes.
The M-SPACE programme also includes a fellowship on reporting public accountability, conducted earlier this year and scheduled to run again in 2026. The first cohort 15 journalists received training, and 10 of them went on to secure reporting grants. This new reporting award programme builds upon that initiative, extending support to more journalists and providing additional opportunities for investigative reporting.
The open call for investigative proposals attracted 93 applications from across Uganda. The 20 selected journalists were chosen for the strength of their ideas, investigative rigour, and potential for public impact. Each will receive financial and mentorship support to pursue stories on governance, corruption, misuse of public resources, service delivery failures and citizen oversight.
“ACME has always believed that strong, independent journalism is essential for democratic accountability,” said Dr George Lugalambi, ACME’s executive director. “Our role is to provide journalists with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to take on tough stories. These reporting grants are part of our broader commitment to nurture quality journalism that speaks truth to power and serves the public interest.”
He added: “What we offer goes beyond financial support. Journalists also benefit from mentorship, editorial guidance and a network of peers. That combination gives them the confidence and backing to pursue sensitive investigations that might otherwise remain untold.”
Reporting grants are a core part of ACME’s programming. The organisation first introduced them in 2014 as a way to sustain quality journalism in a financially stretched media environment. They are not meant as a solution to the sector’s challenges, but as a complement to the good work journalists continue to do in holding power to account.
The awardees include reporters from national and regional newsrooms as well as freelance journalists. Their stories range from corruption in local government procurement, mismanagement in hospitals, and illegal resource exploitation, to environmental and public health challenges.
ACME’s commitment to public accountability journalism goes beyond the M-SPACE programme. Through the Uganda National Journalism Awards, ACME has maintained a dedicated category for public accountability reporting. These efforts reflect the organisation’s long-term vested interest in equipping the media to be platforms that champion transparency and strengthen democracy.
Profiles of the journalists and summaries of their investigations can be read here.
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M-SPACE is a consortium of ACME, the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), Uganda Radio Network (URN), and the Uganda Editors’ Guild.
