Monitor, NTV shine in first court awards

Daily Monitor’s Wesaka (L), receives the award during the during the ceremony in Kampala over the weekend. Courtesy photo.

Kampala- The Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda both subsidiaries of the Nation Media Group (NMG), excelled at the inaugural Court Reporters’ Award held in Kampala over the weekend.

Among the recorgnised include Mr Mr Sudhir Byaruhanga, a reporter with NTV Uganda and Anthony Wesaka, a court reporter with Daily Monitor.

The award organised by Legal Brains Trust (LBT), a Legal and Human Rights non-government organisation in conjunction with the Uganda Court Reporters’ Association, saw Mr Byaruhanga take the night as the overall winner.

He was recognised for his excellent anti-corruption reporting in relation to court matters most especially on the case of Mr Geoffrey Kazinda who was recently convicted for corruption.

Overall award
NTV Uganda scooped the overall award as the best station that reports on court matters as compared to its competitors.

Mr Wesaka was rewarded for being the best court reporter on land matters. He was recognised for his captivating piece on Ms Idah Nantaba, the state minister for Lands.
Focusing on Ms Nantaba’s busy and controversial activities in relation to land issues, the reporter focused and detailed the various lawsuits that had been brought against the minister in the land division of the High Court during her first five months into office.

Other winners Included, Ms Joan Akello, of the Independent Magazine, Ms Baker Zenna of NBS TV, and Mr Suhail Mugabe of NTV Uganda.

Mr Derrick Kiyonga of the Observer Newspaper and Mr Raymond Wamala of Red Pepper Publications were also among the recognised.

Recent recognitions
Recently a number of NMG journalists were recognised for their excellent reporting on matters related to the East African Community held in Kampala.

NTV Kenya business writer Aby Agina emerged the overall winner of the coveted Secretary General’s award at a colourful dinner graced by Mr Amama Mbabazi, the Prime Minister.

Others who won prizes included business writers Ms Christabel Ligami of The East African and Joshua Masinde of the Daily Nation as well as Mr Patrick Mayoy, Daily Nation’s deputy news editor.
Ms Dorothy Nakaweesi and Lydia Namono both Daily Monitor business writers, were also recognised.