Karamoja journalists trained on public affairs reporting and accountability

27 March 2025, 9:17 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), with support from the Danish Embassy in Uganda, has conducted a comprehensive two-day training session for journalists in Moroto district, Karamoja region. The training focused exclusively on public affairs reporting and accountability.

The training aimed to equip journalists with the necessary skills to hold those in power accountable and promote transparency in public affairs. Participants analysed news stories and identified areas for improvement in public affairs reporting and accountability.

Jan Ajwang, a trainer, shared her knowledge on beat reporting, government structure, and the power of media to enrich journalists with a broader understanding of public affairs reporting and accountability.

Ajwang emphasised the importance of beat reporting, advising journalists to focus on specific areas such as health, courts, local politics, council meetings, and other public issues. She linked these beats to public officers in line, stressing that understanding the government structure is crucial for effective reporting.

“If journalists can identify their beats, it can make them strong in exhausting public issues,” she said. Ajwang encouraged journalists to take advantage of their beats to hold those in power accountable and promote transparency.

Munirah Suwed, a journalist from Ateker Moroto FM, shared her experience highlighting public issues affecting Karamoja. She noted that the training had sharpened her skills and given her the confidence to hold those in power accountable.

Suwed emphasised the need for journalists to hold those in power accountable, particularly in regard to public health services. As a journalist based in Moroto, Suwed highlighted the challenges faced by communities living in the mountains, who struggle to access basic services due to poor roads and limited health facilities.

“The people living in the mountains suffer to get services,” she said. Suwed shared that she had contacted the Chief Administrative Officer of Moroto district, who acknowledged the challenges and promised to address them.

“The CAO told me that they plan to allocate a budget to improve the roads accessing those areas,” she said. Suwed acknowledged that the training had given her more skills to follow up on the issues and hold those in power accountable.

“With the skills I’ve gained from this training, I’m confident that I can effectively report on these issues and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” she said.

Joselyn Maureen Yiga, a journalist from UBC, shared her concerns about the health crisis in Karamoja.

“In Karamoja, there’s a severe health crisis. Many communities rely on informal vendors for medical care. The quality of medicine sold by these vendors is often questionable, and storage conditions are poor,” she said.

Yiga noted that some communities in Karamoja have to travel long distances to access basic medical care. “Some people have to travel up to 70km to reach the nearest health facility,” she added.

She also highlighted the issue of 22 subcounties in Karamoja lacking health facilities. “This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. As journalists, we need to hold those in power accountable for ensuring that our communities have access to basic medical care,” she said.

During a group discussion, participants analysed a news story about a sugar factory that had allegedly polluted a water source, as a case study for learning purposes.

Chemonges Robert Karobi, a journalist from UBC Totore FM, noted that the training had equipped him with the skills to conduct thorough research and investigation before publishing stories.

The training also discussed the challenges faced by journalists in Karamoja, including limited access to information and threats from politicians. Ajwang stressed the importance of collaboration among journalists to ensure their safety while reporting on sensitive issues.

Ajwang concluded the training by emphasising the critical role journalists play in promoting transparency and accountability. “As we head into the election period, it’s essential that journalists demand accountability from politicians and authorities,” she said.

Ajwang also noted that journalists should be prepared to ask tough questions and hold those in power responsible for their actions. “It’s time to ask the tough questions and hold those accountable,” she said.

The training was a collaborative effort between UMWA, Uganda Radio Network, Editors Guild, and the African Center for Media Excellence.