Vision journalist nominated for CNN award

By Carol Kasujja

Vision Group’s senior writer Carol Natukunda has been nominated for this year’s prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist award 2013.

Natukunda and Amon Ngabo from UBC are the only Ugandan journalists among the 27 finalists from 11 countries on the continent.

The category winners of the stiff competition will be announced at an award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa on October 12. All the finalists will receive various prizes. They will also attend an all-expenses paid four-day programme of workshops, media forums, networking during the run up to the gala.

The competition is now in its 18th year. It received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

Natukunda submitted two Investigative stories, which she worked on under the supervision of Felix Osike, New Vision’s investigative editor.

The articles were: “Do Magnetic Pads offer what they promise,” Published by the New Vision on September 3, 2012 and “Is Mbarara falling prey to a health scam” in New Vision October 15, 2012.

“I am very excited to be a finalist. I am indebted to the great team at Vision Group. I thank the editors for nurturing me professionally. I don’t take anyone for granted. Even the office assistant who brings me a notebook and a pen, impacts on my output indirectly. Most importantly, I thank my ever supportive family,” Natukunda said.

Announcing the finalists, Ferial Haffajee, the chairperson of the independent judging panel said: “A tough table of judges was often visibly impressed by the range of stories presented to us.  African journalists, as represented by our entries, have risen to the challenge of 2012.  The big stories were well-covered.  The small stories were not forgotten.  We commend the dedication of journalists who are very much part of a rising Africa with rising professionalism, increased appetite for tough and investigative journalism, an eye on those left behind and a deep commitment to telling good stories across many mediums.”

The 'CNN African Journalist of the Year Competition' was established in August 1995 to encourage, promote and recognize excellence in African journalism.