Uganda’s veteran scribe kitts Mabonga recognized as top EAC Journalist in championing the NCD fight

By Darlington Mabonga

The  world Diabetes foundation [WDF] media  awards   committee picked on veteran scribe Kitts Darlington  Mabonga as  the champion  and dedicated reporter covering extensively NCD related cases among communities  highlighting  the plight of patients being challenged by stroke, diabetes  and other NCD related illnesses.

The director general of health services in the ministry of health Dr. Charles Olaro  commended the World Diabetes Foundation [WDF] for recognizing and awarding journalists within the East African community member states for championing the fight against the NCD burden.

Dr. Olara made the remarks while officiating at the WDF Media Awards ceremony at Munyonyo  who congratulated the journalists for reporting on the NCD which has become  endemic among  most communities.

The theme of the congress is ‘Diabetes Care in Resource-Limited Settings. A Comprehensive Approach’.

The awardees totaling   11 were drawn from Uganda, Kenya. Tanzania, Burundi, Zanzibar and Rwanda with Kitts Mabonga emerging best overall from Uganda. Of whom Olara commended for championing the fight of   NCDs burden among rural communities by highlighting the plight of the patients which development generated public debate leading to policy review saying others should emulate him for the good of the country.

Mabonga on behalf of Uganda the host country thanked the World Diabetes Foundation for the funding support as well as both the Uganda NCD Alliance and East Africa NCD Alliance respectively.  

Dr. Olaro expressed concern   that the Uganda country report on diabetes suggests that the current  case burden stands at 40% and that  by 2040, the cases  would reach an alarming  high of 60% which incident should be tackled by all stakeholders.

He commended the efforts by the respective ministries of health of the member states as well as the EACNCD Alliance for championing  the fight  to reduce the burden among their citizens through sensitization campaigns

The other awardees  include Niyirora Pierre Celestin from Rwanda working with Imanzi Radio who produces programs which focus on health.

Fredrick Mwansumbule famously known as Haleluya, a standup comedian and a poet works at Chekatu NCD champion

 Ange  Aimable  Israel Robert, a medical student, designer and Communications Volunteer at Rwanda NCD Alliance

Khamisuu Abdallah Ali, a journalist with the Government Newspapers Agency in Zanzibar (Zanzibar Leo).is a champion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

David Rwenyagira Journalist for both Radio and  Tv Presenter Wasafi Media in Tanzania.

Robi Chacha, a health and science journalist working in Kenya ( K24TV ), also a communication consultant..