Zubeda says media helped her gain confidence in leadership and community engagement

12 May 2026, 4:07 pm

Byamukama Alozious

Teko Zubeda has shared how engagement with media transformed her perception of journalists and strengthened her confidence in leadership, political mobilisation, and community advocacy.

Speaking during a reflection session following the Gender Sensitive Reporting and Media for Accountability training conducted by Uganda Media Women’s Association, Teko explained that before the training, many women leaders feared journalists and viewed media houses negatively.

“We used to fear journalists because we thought they were full of rumours and would only expose negative things about us. But when Uganda Media Women’s Association trained us, we gained courage and understood how to work with media,” she said.

Teko, who currently serves as Chairperson of the Women’s League for the NRM Party in Moroto Municipality, Secretary for Women Leaders, and Secretary in the Chamber of Commerce representing women in business, said the training helped her learn how to network and communicate effectively through media platforms.

She explained that media exposure strengthened her confidence while participating in political mobilisation and leadership engagements.

“Now we can even publish and promote our businesses. I also gained confidence while engaging party leaders and during campaigns. Media helped me connect with leaders and communities,” she said.

Teko recalled participating in political mobilisation activities where she used media engagement to support leadership campaigns and community outreach.

Although she later stepped back from active competition due to family responsibilities, she said the experience taught her the value of media visibility and communication.

“Media helps you reach places and people you may never access on your own. They promote your work, your business, and even guide you on how to communicate issues affecting communities,” she added.

She further noted that during her time in Moroto local government, media engagement helped strengthen information sharing between leaders and communities.

“I was ranked among the best councillors in Moroto because we worked closely with media by sharing information and engaging communities openly,” she said.

Teko, however, acknowledged that journalists in the region continue to face operational challenges, including poor transport and limited facilitation, which affect their ability to respond quickly to community issues.

“Sometimes journalists cannot reach the scene in time because of transport challenges and network problems. But if there is support, it becomes a win-win situation because information reaches the public and helps in decision-making and policy making,” she explained.

She encouraged other women leaders and community members not to fear journalists, saying media remains an important platform for promoting accountability, leadership, and development in Moroto and the wider Karamoja region.

“Media is not wrong. They help communities, leaders, and businesses to be heard,” she concluded.