Media fraternity mourns Joyce Namutebi

Within a few hours of the passing of New Vision senior reporter Joyce Namutebi, the media fraternity took to social media to eulogise the colleague they so loved.

Joyce Namutebi, a senior parliamentary reporter at New Vision, lost the battle to breast cancer yesterday. Namutebi, 52, who has worked with the company for 24 years, was among the first journalists to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication at Makerere University.  

"Everybody could see that Joyce was in pain but she never wanted to be pitied or appear to be scared of the disease. She believed in journalism to the last day that even as she worked at her desk, she endeavoured to balance her articles by getting both sides of the story," Barbara Kaija, the Vision Group Editorin-Chief, said.

Kaija recalled when Namutebi first got diagnosed with cancer, she feared she would lose her job. However, she got a lot of support from her supervisors and the entire New Vision family. "We shall miss her because she was among the few people who stayed in the newsroom and added a lot of value in terms of experience and historical times New Vision covered over the years,'' she said.

Kaija added that Namutebi was comparable to an encyclopaedia in the newsroom. At a short notice, one would give her an assignment and expect no errors," she said.

John Kakande, the New Vision Editor, said he first worked with Namutebi at the Star Newspaper in the early 90s. She also briefly worked as a public relations officer for the Uganda Private Midwives Association from 1992-1994.

"Namutebi was among the long serving Parliament reporters and one of the pioneer leaders in the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association. I do not remember any time her story was ever disputed because she was careful with her facts, was objective and was a person of integrity," Kakande said.

Whereas many who graduated with her in the first mass communication class left the profession to pursue other career paths, he said, Namutebi was passionate and loved journalism.

Describing the deceased as a person of good repute, Kakande said she stood out for what she believed in and was very frank. "If you annoyed her, she would tell you upfront," he said.

Eulogies
Agatha Joyday Gloria, a senior human resource officer, said Namutebi rose through the ranks through hard work and patience. Catherine Mwesigwa, New Vision Deputy Editor, said Namutebi was among the few qualified women who worked in the profession for a very long time.

"Journalism was new with few trained people. But for someone to work till her last day is really commendable," she added. New Vision Parliament Editor Milton Olupot described his colleague as a hardworking member of the team and a committed employee.

‘‘She took her work very seriously and fulfilled her job description to the dot. Although she was reserved in character, that did not limit her performance and productivity,'' he said. ‘‘Even when she was sick, Namutebi made efforts to come 
to work. The company will definitely miss her as a team and our condolences go to the bereaved family,'' Olupot said.