Introduction: A Milestone in Ugandan Media
On December 19, 2025, the city of Gulu in northern Uganda hosted a shift in how the media covers conflict, resilience, and community healing. The Peace Journalism Foundation (PJ) and its local partner, GWED-G (Gulu Women’s Economic Development and Globalization), brought together journalists, activists, policymakers, and residents to celebrate the journalists who report with restraint, accuracy, and empathy in times of tension. This inaugural ceremony, framed as the Peace Journalism Awards Uganda, marked more than professional achievement; it signaled a national commitment to reporting that strengthens peace processes and furthers public understanding of complex conflicts.
Why Peace Journalism Matters in Uganda
Uganda’s media landscape has long faced the challenge of balancing sensational narratives with responsible reporting. In regions scarred by conflict, the way stories are told can inflame tensions or foster dialogue. The Peace Journalism Awards Uganda recognizes reporters who go beyond headlines to explore root causes, humanize affected communities, and highlight peaceful resolutions. By elevating such work, the awards seek to rewire public discourse toward stability, trust, and constructive engagement among diverse groups.
The Role of GWED-G and PJ Foundation
The collaboration between GWED-G and the Peace Journalism Foundation illustrates how civil society organizations can catalyze media reform. GWED-G, known for empowering women in northern Uganda, provided on-the-ground expertise about community dynamics, gender perspectives, and local resilience. The PJ Foundation offered editorial standards, mentorship, and a platform that connected journalists with subject-matter experts, conflict mediators, and peacebuilders. Together, they created a framework that rewards accuracy, accountability, and the careful framing of vulnerable communities.
Criteria that Define Excellence
Entries for the Peace Journalism Awards Uganda were judged on several criteria aligned with peace journalism principles. Key factors included: accuracy in reporting, avoidance of sensational language, balanced portrayal of all stakeholders, attention to the social impact of news, and the visibility of peaceful solutions or remedies. Additionally, judges looked for reporting that reduces harm, promotes inclusion, and strengthens civic engagement. The award categories encompassed newspaper, radio, television, and digital media, with special recognitions for investigative work and community-centered storytelling.
Stories That Shaped a Conversation
During the ceremony, winners shared stories that demonstrated the power of peace-focused journalism. One recipient detailed how covering dialogue forums between rival communities reduced misinformation and opened space for practical reconciliation. Another entry highlighted local women’s groups working to counter violence with education and economic empowerment. These narratives illustrated how responsible reporting can illuminate paths to peace without ignoring the underlying tensions or grief that conflicts leave behind.
Impact on the Media Landscape
The Peace Journalism Awards Uganda has the potential to redefine newsroom norms across Uganda. By publicly honoring journalists who pursue peaceful, constructive storytelling, the awards encourage training programs, mentorship, and newsroom policies that prioritize ethical reporting during crises. In the long term, this could lead to more resilient communities where media serves as a bridge—connecting diverse voices, correcting misinformation, and supporting peacebuilding efforts at local and national levels.
Looking Forward: Sustaining Momentum
As Uganda continues to navigate regional security challenges, climate-related disasters, and political transitions, the momentum from these awards must be sustained. The organizers plan ongoing capacity-building sessions, fellowships for aspiring peace journalists, and stronger collaboration with peacebuilders, educators, and policymakers. The goal is clear: cultivate a generation of reporters who see themselves as stewards of stability, report with courage and compassion, and elevate ordinary people’s voices in the quest for durable peace.
Conclusion
Architects of stability emerged from Uganda’s first Peace Journalism Awards as a beacon for a healthier media ecology. In Gulu’s warm December air, journalists were celebrated not merely for telling stories, but for shaping narratives that foster trust, accountability, and resilience. If Uganda’s media continues on this trajectory, peace journalism could become a defining practice that helps communities heal, rebuild, and thrive in the years ahead.
