As the applause fades and reporters return to their newsrooms, one message remains clear: Northern Uganda has stories that matter—and journalists are bold enough to tell them.
By Willy Chowoo
Gulu , May 29, 2025 – In a night filled with celebration, emotion, and powerful storytelling, seven journalists from Uganda’s Acholi sub-region emerged among the country’s finest at the Uganda National Journalism Awards (UNJA) 2025, hosted by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME). Their recognition not only celebrated individual excellence but also spotlighted Northern Uganda as a rising hub for impactful journalism.
The annual media awards saw three journalists from the Acholi sub-region emerged as winners in various categories, while three others were named first runners-up in the categories of Environment, Religion, Traditions and Culture, Community Reporting, Education , Science and Technology, and Sports, respectively. 
The winners couldn’t hide their excitement at this milestone. Some of them spoke to The Elephant about how they feel after winning the awards.
Picture: The writer enjoyed a light moment with Anena Rosemary and Aciro Gladys Tracy upon their return to Gulu City, proudly carrying their accolades.
Voice 1: Sharing their excitement, the winners spoke to The Elephant about their achievements
A First-Time Winner Who Almost Gave Up
For Gladys Tracy Aciro, a news reporter at Mega FM in Gulu City, the award was not just a trophy—it was a turning point. “I’ve been submitting to ACME every year and never got nominated. Last year I told myself, ‘This will be the final attempt,’” she revealed emotionally. “Just being nominated this time gave me hope. But when I won… I can’t explain how happy I was.”
Tracy’s award came in the Culture and Traditions category, where her entries included, Food taboos in Acholi culture, the role of music in traditional Acholi society and Beliefs surrounding pregnancy and motherhood in Acholi tradition
Despite competing against two male colleagues, Tracy’s voice stood out. She said her stories were not just about customs—they were deeply personal journeys exploring identity and forgotten knowledge.
“I submitted three stories in that category. I think they saw how I brought out the richness and complexity of our culture. This win tells me—and every female journalist out there—not to give up. Keep trying. You never know when your time will come.”, she narrates.
Bringing Light to Dark Truths
Johnisani Ocakacon, a news reporter with Radio Rupiny in Gulu City, was awarded second place nationally in the Community Reporting category. His chilling story explored the high number of children born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Agago District, and the heartbreaking reality that many of these children are viewed as curses and sacrificed under harmful cultural beliefs.
“These children are seen as bad luck. They’re thrown into water during rituals. Over 40 children had reportedly been killed,” he shared. “My goal was to bring attention to this darkness that many communities hide. It’s not just a story—it’s a cry for help.”, he notes.
Ocakacon’s reporting unearthed a deeper social crisis that blends health misinformation, stigma, and ritualistic practices. He acknowledged the support from his editors, the Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC), and his colleagues.
“Being second in the whole country wasn’t easy. But it proved to me that if we report with integrity and purpose, we can save lives.”
Faith, Memory, and Closure
For Rosemary Anena, another news reporter with Radio Rupiny, her award for Best Religion Reporting carried spiritual and emotional weight. Based in Gulu, Rosemary submitted four stories, each rich in depth and humanity-Archbishop John Baptist Odama’s 25-year journey as spiritual leader of Gulu Archdiocese, the Way of the Cross reenactment and its meaning to Christians in Gulu, Victims of the LRA massacre in Pagak Parish, Amuru District, still searching for closure 20 years after the attack, and how Christmas celebrations have evolved over the years in Northern Uganda
“I feel honoured. This wasn’t just me—many people believed in me. My sources trusted me, my supervisors supported me, and even colleagues shared contacts when I needed help. This award belongs to all of them,” she said.
One of the most impactful stories in her submission involved survivors of the Pagak LRA massacre, whose loved ones were killed and buried hastily. Two decades later, the trauma persists.
“We realized that the relatives of those people who were killed, whose remains are still in the wilderness, are facing trauma. These are stories of unhealed wounds,” Anena explained.
She credited the Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) for her earlier regional recognition and praised ACME for giving journalists like her a national platform. NUMEC is the umbrella organization for journalists in the northern region of Uganda.
“If Rosemary Anena can do it, why not you?” she asked fellow reporters. “Tell powerful stories. Go the extra mile. Interview more. Research deeper. Then reach out to senior journalists for help,” she noted.
Voice 2: The award winners called on their colleagues to stay determined and keep striving for excellence.
Other Award Recipients from Acholi
Other journalists who received recognition include- Simon Wokorach Peter, a freelance journalist, awarded Environmental Reporter of the Year, Toolit Ivan Sunday of Mega FM, who emerged as first runner-up in the Sports category, While Abalo Irene Otto of NMG, named first runner-up in the Technology category and Okello Jesus Ojara of tndNews was also Hournable Mention in the education reporting.
In his social media post after receiving the award, Simon Wokorach Peter described the victory as a triumph for the people’s voice.
“The voices of the people have won—I only represent them. It’s a call to action that every voice counts when it comes to caring for nature,” he wrote.
Wokorach emphasized that he carried the trust of the communities whose stories he told.
“”You who entrusted me to carry your voices to the World, your voices are being recognized and you are the Winners,” he added.
Meanwhile Abalo Irene Otto who got Hourable Mention in the Science and Technology thanked ACME team for shining more light on journalism that deserve celebrations
“Just happy we have such spaces to celebrate journalism ahead of the 2026 general elections. Journalists needed such inspirations”, she adds
Acholi’s Moment of Journalistic Pride
All the award-winning journalists highlighted the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and community in their success. They also expressed pride in the fact that all six shortlisted journalists from the Acholi sub-region returned home with an award or certificate—a feat never before achieved.
“This is our time. This should inspire the next generation of storytellers in Northern Uganda,” said Anena.
The 2025 UNJA awards weren’t just about trophies. They became a testament to the transformative power of local journalism—to document culture, expose injustice, preserve memory, and hold space for healing.
Support and Recognition from Industry Leaders
Nickie Afa-ie, Program Manager at Mega FM, attributed the journalistic success to self-discipline and the growing professionalism among journalists in the Acholi sub-region. He also extended gratitude to NUMEC for its ongoing mentorship and capacity-building support.
“This is both inspiring and promising for journalists in the sub-region,” he said. “I am optimistic that this is the right time for us to begin telling our own stories to the world.”
Okot John Ken, Communications and Advocacy Officer at NUMEC, emphasized the role of the organization’s mini-reporting grants, which enable journalists to travel and cover critical stories—opportunities often out of reach with support from their media houses alone.
“NUMEC is like a home to every journalist. It provides space, internet, and a collaborative environment for journalists to interact, engage, and share ideas,” Okot said. “The mini-grants have played a key role in helping journalists produce stories that meet international standards.”
He noted that most of the journalists supported by NUMEC are freelancers far from their newsrooms. The organization has created a conducive environment for them to research, write, and publish their stories effectively.
Jesse James Johnson Mutto, News Editor at Radio Rupiny, echoed Afa-ie’s sentiments, emphasizing that teamwork and discipline have driven the newsroom’s success at UNJA 2025.
“When everyone on the team embraces working together, it becomes easier for us as supervisors to share ideas,” Mutto said. “The journalists who won are those who always follow guidance, actively seek out new opportunities, and are willing to take on challenging stories.”
As the applause fades and reporters return to their newsrooms, one message remains clear: Northern Uganda has stories that matter—and journalists who are bold enough to tell them.
PICTORIAL
