ACME awards best journalist today

2016 winners in a group photo. Photo/File

A total of 80 journalists will today head to Golf Course Hotel in Kampala for an award winning ceremony organised by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME).

The journalists who wrote excellent stories last year were shortlisted recently by ACME and have received invitations to attend the annual ceremony that will be graced by Dr. Louis Kasekende, the deputy governor of Bank of Uganda as the chief guest. 

Out of the 80 journalists, New Vision is represented by 23 top-notch journalists in the likes of Carol Natukunda, Gloria Nakajubi, Claire Namanya, Carol Kasujja, Hope Mafaranga, Betty Amamukiror, Gerald Tenywa, Pascal Kwesiga, John Masaba, Conan Businge, Charles Etukuri, Steven Ssenkaba, Ronald Mugabe, Paul Busharizi, Edward Anyoli, Andante Okanya, Andrew Masinde, Geoffrey Mutegeki Araali, Lilian Namusoke Magezi, Daniel Edyegu, Billy Rwothungeyo and John Semakula.

New Vision journalists have in the past dominated the ACME awards although this time around the competition from other media houses was very tight.

According to ACME, 186 journalists from different media outlets across Uganda participated in the 2017 competition, indicating a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. A total of 307 entries were submitted for the competition.

There are 20 categories where journalists will be scooping the awards including health, features, education and local reporting, Justice, law and order, national; and explanatory reporting.

ACME says the competition was greatest in explanatory and education reporting. At least three judges evaluated each story and each of them provided extensive comments to support the mark given.

"A total of 307 entries were submitted for competition in the awards and it is no mean feat that you got this far in the process," said ACME in an invitation letter to the shortlisted journalists.