Uganda National Journalism Awards 2026 – Category descriptions

Recognises outstanding work by new talent shaping Uganda’s media landscape. This award is open to university students, early-career journalists, and independent content creators producing journalistic work on any platform or format. Eligible entrants must be 25 years old or younger by the submission deadline of 31 January 2026. Entries should demonstrate creativity, strong storytelling, and the potential to influence public understanding and engagement.

Eligible work may be on any subject of choice and produced in one or a variety of platforms including print, radio, television, online reporting, multimedia, photojournalism or other innovative formats. The category values submissions that bring fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and the energy of new voices to Ugandan journalism.

This award is given to journalism that investigates the progress, innovations and challenges in Uganda’s agricultural sector. Eligible work may cover crop production, livestock management, agricultural policies, climate-related impacts, sustainable practices and rural livelihoods. Work connecting agriculture to food, industry, financing, environmental sustainability, market access, and technological innovations are welcomed.

This award recognises reporting and writing about creative expression and creative industries including, but not limited to, visual arts, literature, performing arts, film and music. The award will be given to bodies of work that best provide informed, rigorous analysis of specific works, in-depth storytelling on industry trends and artists, or reporting that uncovers issues related to the ethics, business or operations of the art and entertainment sectors.

This award is for journalistic work that examines the causes, impacts and solutions related to climate change. Eligible entries may explore environmental degradation, extreme weather events displacement, food insecurity, and the effects on vulnerable groups, including women, refugees, and smallholder farmers. Work may highlight climate anticipation, absorption and adaptation strategies, as well as community-led or private-sector interventions.

This award recognises media institutions demonstrating long-term, inclusive and coordinated efforts in climate reporting. Eligible work should reflect collective excellence across teams, with consistent coverage of climate impacts, adaptation strategies and mitigation efforts. The institution’s work may focus on the resilience of smallholder farmers, the disproportionate impacts on women and displaced communities, and initiatives addressing food security. The category values institutions that integrate innovation, collaboration, and editorial rigor in climate coverage, producing work that informs, educates and reaches diverse audiences.

This award is for journalism that is deeply rooted in the communities it serves, reflecting their perspectives and priorities. The category is open only to journalists based outside of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and values work that addresses issues often overlooked by national media. Entries should demonstrate authentic engagement with local information needs, elevate underrepresented voices, and be produced in collaboration with community members where possible. The focus is on genuine community journalism that contributes to informed, empowered, and connected communities, rather than simply reflecting the location of the reporter.

Digital Public Infrastructure refers to the systems and platforms that enable essential society-wide functions, such as identity verification, financial transactions, data exchange, health information access, mobility solutions and e-government services. The category values work that examines how these systems operate, how they are governed, and their societal, economic and ethical implications. Eligible reporting may explore issues of inclusion, legitimacy, trust, privacy, security, and the interaction between public and private actors in building and maintaining digital public infrastructure.

Celebrates journalism that investigates, explains and analyses the systems, institutions and activities shaping Uganda’s economy. The category covers work on financial markets, public finance and taxation, government economic policies, business and entrepreneurship at all scales, as well as corporate governance and ESG practices. Eligible reporting may also show how economic and financial decisions affect communities and livelihoods, and highlight the roles of government, private enterprises and individuals in shaping the economy.

Recognises journalism on developments, challenges and innovations across Uganda’s education sector. The category covers work on education policy, access to learning, teaching methods, student outcomes, equity and the use of technology in education, as well as the broader social, economic, and community impact of education.

Honours work exploring energy production, distribution, and extractive industries, including petroleum, minerals, and renewables. Eligible entries examine governance, policy, finance, environmental and social impacts, innovation and transparency. Reporting may also explain issues affecting development, society, communities and the economy.

Recognises journalism that explores the environment in all its dimensions, including ecosystems, human interactions, and the social, economic and ecological outcomes of those interactions. The category covers topics such as pollution, biodiversity and species conservation, deforestation, sustainable land use, waste management, environmental innovation, and policy or regulatory developments. Eligible reporting should translate scientific and technical information into clear, accessible stories that inform the public and support informed discussion and action toward a more sustainable environment.

Recognises journalism that examines health in all its dimensions, from individual well-being to public health systems and societal factors. The category covers work on healthcare delivery, medical research, disease prevention and treatment, health policy, ethics and human capital, as well as social determinants of health, health behaviour, nutrition and mental health. Eligible reporting should be accurate, insightful and informative, helping audiences understand health issues and their broader societal implications.

Celebrates journalistic work that explores legal systems, law enforcement and security issues across Uganda. The category covers work on civil and criminal justice, human rights, policing, prisons, judicial processes and the rule of law, whether emerging from formal institutions or societal developments. Eligible reporting should provide context and analysis, examine governance, accountability and systemic challenges, and reflect the experiences and perspectives of those affected. The focus is on journalism that sheds light on how justice and security operate in practice and their broader societal impacts.

Recognises exceptional journalism that examines how the dynamics of land, housing and human habitation influence communities and the urban and rural environments across Uganda. Eligible work must demonstrate thorough reporting on core issues, including land tenure systems, efficiency of land administration and management, availability and affordability of housing, and challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and rural-urban migration. Crucially, entries should clearly connect these systemic issues to the tangible everyday experiences, socio-economic rights, and overall living conditions of people in Uganda.

Celebrates journalism focused on the mechanics, actors and processes of the Ugandan political system, offering a detailed view of its inner workings. Eligible entries must deeply examine political events, institutions, and power dynamics, covering areas such as the integrity of elections and political campaigns, the formation of public policy, legislative action, and the role of political financing. The category specifically underscores the civic elements of the system, valuing reporting that investigates the various forms of civic participation, the enforcement of political rights and freedoms and the influence of citizens on policy direction.

Recognises outstanding journalism from Uganda, Kenya or Tanzania that investigates or explains how solar energy is transforming agricultural production and rural livelihoods. Eligible reporting may examine innovations such as solar-powered irrigation systems, water pumping, crop drying, cooling and storage, processing, and other renewable energy solutions that increase efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen resilience to climate change. The category also values work that explores access, financing, policy frameworks and the social and environmental impacts of solar adoption in agriculture.

For journalistic work that examines how public institutions and officials deliver on their mandates and how citizens demand transparency and responsiveness. The category covers reporting on governance, service delivery, public expenditure, corruption, procurement and the use of public resources. It also includes coverage of civic action, social audits or community monitoring that highlight the relationship between citizens and the state.

Recognises journalism that explores faith, belief systems and religious life in their many expressions and influences on society. The category includes reporting on doctrine, practice, leadership and theology. Eligible work may also address questions of religious freedom, interfaith relations, gender and moral authority. The category values journalism that brings depth and understanding to how religion shapes individual lives, communities, and national discourse.

Celebrates journalism that examines the role of science, technology and physical infrastructure in shaping development and everyday life. The category covers reporting on scientific research, innovation, transport and energy systems, water and sanitation, health infrastructure, and major public works projects. Eligible entries may explain how technological advances and public investments affect communities, economies and the environment, while highlighting the opportunities, risk, and governance issues linked to infrastructure and technological change.

Celebrates journalism that captures the excitement, complexity and significance of sport. The category covers reporting on games and tournaments, athlete profiles, coaching and management, sports business and finance, infrastructure, fan culture, health and performance, and governance. It honours work that combines accuracy, depth and storytelling flair to reveal not only the action on the field but also the personalities, systems and stories shaping the world of sport.

Honours journalism that investigates Uganda’s intangible cultural heritage, social practices and community identity. Eligible work may explore language preservation, oral traditions, proverbs, storytelling, rituals, festivals, historical practices, indigenous knowledge systems and local cultural revival initiatives. Reporting may show how heritage shapes social cohesion, resilience, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, and may highlight the impact of modernisation, policy or social change on cultural continuity.

Honours media institutions of any size or type that exemplify excellence in journalism, with a strong mission to serve the public interest. This award recognises organisations that produce consistently high-quality public affairs reporting across social, economic, political and cultural issues, while demonstrating editorial independence, robust governance, and adherence to professional standards. Eligible work reflects a commitment to journalistic rigour, accuracy and fairness, and demonstrates tangible public service impact.

Eligible institutions should demonstrate:

• Public service and audience impact through a body of journalistic work that addresses issues of relevance to audiences, contributes to informed public debate, and promotes understanding of matters that affect communities and society.
• Editorial independence and governance illustrated by strong institutional policies, transparent decision-making and systems that uphold ethical reporting and protect against undue influence.
• Editorial rigour and journalistic standards through consistent application of fact-checking, verification and ethical practices across all content, ensuring credibility and trust for audiences.
• Platform fluidity and audience reach by effective use of multiple media formats to engage diverse audiences and ensure accessibility of information. Eligible institutions may also demonstrate their experimentation with new formats, and responsiveness to changing media and audience needs while maintaining core journalistic principles.
• Talent cultivation and diversity implemented through structured mentorship, leadership development, and inclusive staffing practices.
• Resilience and sustainability shown by their ability to uphold quality journalism and institutional values under social, political, or economic pressures, maintaining trust with audiences over time.