Almost 365 days after the last African Women in Media conference, a new one beckons with even greater prospects. For media professionals who champion the economic empowerment of women and challenging the stereotypical representations of African women and women’s rights issues, the annual conference is a gathering of the best and upcoming in different sectors across media. We aim to unveil the next level of development capacity building and intellectual advancement while helping attendees identify areas they can function in to have an impact.

Last week, we were pleased to announce a scholarship courtesy of Open Society Initiative Eastern Africa (OSIEA), an organization that advocates equal rights and opportunities for everyone. The lucky 28 recipients will benefit from an all-expense paid trip to AWiM19.

MEET THE WINNERS

Nicole Njuguna is a budding Journalist based in Kenya. Nicole has experience working as a TV producer and News Anchor among other caps she wears. She speaks English, Swahili and French. She is interested in Mobile Journalism and looks forward to contributing her quota to the advancement of the Media sector

Eunice Kilonzo is an award-winning Research and Communications specialist with a passion for health and journalism, Eunice’s works have been published in major newspapers like Business Daily, Daily Nation, Le Monde, and South African Voices of Africa among others. She is currently a Masters student at the University of Nairobi.

Victoria Winifred Bagaaya is a news anchor and reporter for Next Media Services Uganda, Victoria is a Journalist with about five years’ experience under her belt. She is a philanthropist with a passion for youth empowerment. Victoria is currently a 2019 Women in News Fellow.

Lee Kasumba is a Radio/TV presenter, a writer and executive producer. Lee’s venture into broadcasting started at the age of 19 while doing a full-time BA in Dramatic Arts at the Wits University. She has worked with organisations like Channel O, Big Brother Africa and BBC to mention a few. She is also the current Executive Producer and MC for the all-female production HipHopHerStory. When she is not creating content, you can catch her presenting the Africa Business Report on the Money Show.

Careen Joel Mwakitalu is a Tanzanian freelance Journalist with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the St. Augustine University of Tanzania. She has worked with Sahara Media Group, a national media corporation in Tanzania (under Star TV). She is also part of Media Space Tanzania young journos club that employs storytelling and innovative journalism for solutions and a journalism Fellow of the European Journalism Center/Tanzania Media Foundation fellowship 2019 specializing in climate and environmental journalism for solutions.

Karoline Kanyeria is a Development Communication Professional with research interests in Health Communication. Karoline offers consulting services in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of workplace wellness programmes in the advancement of health-promoting workplaces.

Betty Njeru is a Journalist and News Sub-Editor with the Standard Media Group in Kenya where she monitors and reports on The Standard Digital Website, proofread, sub-edit and optimize and publish content for online consumption. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with a minor in Advertising. She worked as a News Anchor and Reporter with Lolwe Television Network (LTN) and Good News Broadcasting System (GBS).

Jennifer Sumi is a Senior Online Producer at Azam Media Group under the News and Current Affairs Department, she is responsible for writing, editing news and videos and uploading news to all platforms such as Azam Application, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. Jennifer is also responsible for attending editorial meetings, supervising her colleague and presenting a program on Television called Alasiri Lounge. Jennifer has worked for media firms for 19 years in both print and electronic sectors.

Janeth Mesomapya is a 25-year-old Tanzanian Journalist who lives in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She has previously worked for two of Tanzania’s biggest and reputable media houses, including Mwananchi Communications Ltd where she wrote for The Citizen newspaper, and later joined Ayo TV&TZA Company where she worked as a reporter and broadcaster. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with three years of work experiences. She currently works for Tanzania Standard Newspapers (TSN) as a news reporter/writer for Daily News newspaper and content creator for the paper’s digital unit.

Ngarambe Assumpta is a TV Sports Show Presenter, News Reporter, Journalist, television personality and TV Producer is best known for being one of the best women sports journalists and is the first female who dared to present a sports show on TV (RTV).

David Biwott Lomoywara is a Development Communications Specialist with a background in print Journalism and a Master’s in Development Communication from USIU-Africa. He is passionate about writing development stories and doing research work in health communication. He also volunteers for IRep Foundation (Communication Specialist), a community organization which protects girls and women from gender violence.

Zahara Tunda is a Data Journalist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She works as Code for Africa’s Academy trainer and coordinator of Wanadata and Hacks Hackers communities in Tanzania. She previously worked as an Innovation and Social Affairs writer at Nukta Africa a digital news outlet in Tanzania. She is a WHO Bloomberg Road Safety Fellow of 2017. She is passionate in championing Sustainable Development Goals, gender issues and technology through media.

Kobusingye Mary Sarah (Biryomumaisho) is a Ugandan Broadcast Journalist, voice-over artist, Digital manager and blogger. She boasts of 8 years in Radio/broadcasting and at least 4 years in Digital management. She worked with Endigito Radios in Mbarara before joining Galaxy FM in Kampala and now Radio 4 Uganda. She also handled Digital management at Galaxy FM, Umeme Ltd, Anti-Counterfeit Network for Africa among others. Sarah is currently a News Anchor and reporter at 103.3 FM Radio 4. She is also a writer at Andariya, a Sudanese based cultural online Magazine. See her entry here.

Judith Basutama is a Burundian journalist living in exile; she left Burundi in May 2018 fleeing persecution from Burundi regime over a report broadcast on BBC Afrique. She has been in the Burundi media landscape for decades as she started her work as a journalist at the national broadcaster Burundi National Radio and Television RTNB in the 1980’s. She later worked as a correspondent of various international media groups as the English service of Radio France International, BBC Afrique, the former Integrated Regional Information Network, IRIN, now the New Humanitarian, Anadolu agency and others. She works as a consultant to a Dutch organization which brings financial and editorial support to six independent media outlets in Burundi.

Miranda Akimpezagiriye is the Deputy Chief Editor of publications at Akeza.net, the main online magazine and digital platform in Burundi. She is in charge of planning how inspiring stories about Burundi & its people, both local and in the diaspora are told in the best way possible. Miranda works hand in hand with various departments in her organization which include photography, videography and creative design to achieve this. She enjoys discovering new places, meeting creative people and writing good and inspiring stories.

Sheila Ponnie is a print journalist, with @JubaMonitor, an independent daily newspaper and radio host and studio presenter for @RadioOneSS9 FM, both in Juba, South Sudan where she also continues freelance print and video work reporting, producing and contributing to the conversations on women and children’s health, people living with HIV, the environment, current events and migration issues in Africa.

Culton Scovia Nakamya is a Ugandan broadcast journalist working with BBS TV Uganda. She is also a 2019 Women in News Fellow. She has been in the media since 2013. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication, a Diploma in Information Technology and is currently, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. She has a passion for journalism and loves to amplify development and human rights issues.

Agnès Ndirubusa is a Journalist with a focus on the analysis of political and diplomatic issues at Iwacu Press Group, the most respected news organization in Burundi and the most widely read internationally. She has 10 years’ experience in journalism. After her graduation in Law in 2009, she began her journalism career at Rema radio and television, where she became consecutively the program secretary (2011-2013) and head of programs (2013-2015).

Karondo Digne was born in Kirundo-Burundi. She started practising journalism since 2013 when she got a job with African Public Radio, the voice of voiceless. Before the crisis in her country since April 2015, she worked as a news reporter making several reports related to the social-economic section. She holds a degree in Law from Université Lumière de Bujumbura (Light University of Bujumbura).

Acayo Nancy is a South Sudanese based journalist who covers stories on reproductive health, youth and entrepreneurship. She is also a Digital security and Media Trainer. She joined the media in 2014 and has been a reporter and a news anchor at Equator Broadcasting Corporation, a state-owned television and radio station. She is also a member of the Female Journalist Network of South Sudan and has been honoured by many notable organizations around the world for her work.  

Bob Rugurika is a Burundian journalist. He graduated with a degree in law and started work at Radio Publique Africaine. From being a junior journalist in 2004, he became responsible for the department of investigative journalism in 2007 before he became Editor and chief in 2010. His professional success and commitment to his work resulted in his appointment as head of Radio Publique Africaine in 2014. In October 2016, he received the very prestigious CNN/MULTICHOICE Press Freedom Award 2016 in Johannesburg for his Press Freedom struggle. Besides his activities as a journalist, Bob Rugurika attends conferences to advocate for and raise awareness about the ongoing human rights violations in Burundi.

Solange Ayanone was born in Rwanda. She did development studies in Pan Africa Institute for Development (PAID/CA) based in Douala. She started her career with the National radio “RADIO RWANDA” as a Journalist and has grown through her career journey as Head of Department and Regional Director among other roles. She is a coach, trainer and mentor to upcoming journalists. Currently, she is rounding off her Masters in Project Management at the University of Kigali.

Opio Jackson is a Sudanese Journalist. He works as Chief Correspondent with the prestigious Juba Monitor newspaper and speaks three languages namely English, Arabic and Luo.

Congratulations to all the winners!