ACME Awards UGX 40M in Grants to Boost Investigative Journalism in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda: The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has announced the disbursement of UGX 40 million (approximately $10,500 USD) in reporting grants to 20 journalists across Uganda, marking a significant boost for investigative journalism focused on governance and public accountability. The initiative, unveiled today, aims to empower reporters to uncover systemic challenges, hold institutions accountable, and shed light on issues affecting citizens’ daily lives.

The grants are part of the Media Support for Public Accountability and Civic Engagement (M-SPACE) project, a multi-donor programme supported by the governments of Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Running from July 2024 to December 2027, M-SPACE seeks to strengthen a resilient and inclusive media landscape that fosters citizen engagement in democratic processes.

This latest award builds on ACME’s long-standing commitment to quality journalism, which began with its inaugural reporting grants in 2014. The organization has also conducted a fellowship programme earlier this year, training 15 journalists in public accountability reporting, with 10 of them securing grants. The current round attracted 93 applications nationwide, with the 20 selected journalists chosen for the strength and potential impact of their investigative proposals.

The awardees, drawn from national and regional newsrooms as well as freelance journalists, will explore critical topics including corruption in local government procurement, mismanagement in hospitals, illegal resource exploitation, and environmental and public health challenges. Each recipient will receive not only financial support but also mentorship and editorial guidance to ensure their stories reach the public effectively.

“ACME has always believed that strong, independent journalism is essential for democratic accountability,” said Dr. George Lugalambi, ACME’s executive director. “Our role is to provide journalists with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to take on tough stories. These grants are part of our broader commitment to nurture quality journalism that speaks truth to power and serves the public interest.”

Dr. Lugalambi emphasized that the programme offers more than monetary aid. “Journalists also benefit from mentorship, editorial guidance, and a network of peers,” he noted. “This combination gives them the confidence and backing to pursue sensitive investigations that might otherwise remain untold.”

The M-SPACE programme is a collaborative effort involving ACME, the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), Uganda Radio Network (URN), and the Uganda Editors’ Guild. It follows a competitive selection process that evaluated the investigative rigor and public impact of each proposal.

The timing of this initiative is particularly significant given Uganda’s media landscape, which faces mounting constraints from restrictive laws, regulatory controls, and financial pressures, as highlighted in recent reports. With the country’s history of economic challenges—including a currency revaluation in 1987 due to inflation—international support for journalism underscores a global recognition of the media’s role in fostering transparency.

ACME’s efforts extend beyond M-SPACE through initiatives like the Uganda National Journalism Awards, which include a dedicated category for public accountability reporting. Profiles of the grant recipients and summaries of their investigations are available on ACME’s website.

As Uganda navigates its democratic journey, this injection of resources into investigative journalism signals a hopeful step toward empowering citizens and strengthening governance—one story at a time.