Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) has opened submissions for the 12th Uganda National Journalism Awards 2026, recognising outstanding journalism across 20 thematic categories and one institutional award. The competition is open to journalists and media organisations working in Uganda, with eligible work published between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
Program Overview
The Uganda National Journalism Awards (UNJA), organised by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), are Uganda’s most prestigious journalism awards, celebrating excellence, ethics, and public-interest reporting.
The 12th edition of the awards recognises impactful journalism that informs citizens, strengthens public accountability, and contributes to a more transparent and engaged society across print, broadcast, digital, multimedia, and visual platforms.
For 2026, the awards expand opportunities for both individual journalists and media institutions, including a new category dedicated to early-career talent.
Award Categories
Individual and Thematic Categories
The 2026 awards feature 20 thematic journalism categories, including:
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Rising Star Award for Excellence in Early-Career Journalism
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Agriculture Reporting
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Arts Reporting
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Climate Change Reporting – Individual Award
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Climate Change Reporting – Institutional Award
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Community Reporting
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Digital Public Infrastructure Reporting
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Economic & Financial Reporting
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Education Reporting
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Energy & Extractive Resources Reporting
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Environmental Reporting
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Health Reporting
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Justice, Law & Security Reporting
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Land, Housing & Human Settlements Reporting
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Political and Civic Reporting
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Productive Use of Solar Energy in Agriculture (Regional Award)
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Public Accountability Reporting
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Religion Reporting
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Science, Technology & Public Infrastructure Reporting
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Sports Reporting
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Traditions & Culture Reporting
Institutional Category
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Stanbic Shield of Journalism Award
This award recognises media institutions for sustained excellence, editorial independence, public service impact, and high-quality, audience-focused journalism.
New Category: Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award for Excellence in Early-Career Journalism is a special category introduced in 2026.
It is designed to recognise journalists aged 25 years or younger producing high-quality journalistic work on any platform or in any format.
Why These Awards Matter
The Uganda National Journalism Awards play a critical role in strengthening Uganda’s media ecosystem.
The awards matter because they:
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Set national benchmarks for professional and ethical journalism
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Highlight investigative, explanatory, and innovative reporting
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Amplify public-interest journalism that might otherwise go unnoticed
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Support media credibility, independence, and accountability
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Promote diverse storytelling that reflects Ugandan society
Past recipients have gained recognition across the media industry, policymaking institutions, academia, civil society, and the general public.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The competition is open to:
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Journalists working in Uganda (full-time or freelance)
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Independent content producers whose work meets journalistic standards
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Media organisations applying for the institutional award
Eligibility Requirements for Journalistic Work
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Work must have been published or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2025
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The content must appear in a Ugandan media outlet or a regional outlet widely accessible in Uganda
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Entries must meet professional journalism standards and category-specific requirements
There is no entry fee for participation.
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Submission Process
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Select the most appropriate award category for your work.
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Confirm that the work was published or broadcast within the eligibility period.
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Prepare submissions according to category-specific rules, including format and number of pieces.
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Translate content where required, following language guidelines.
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Submit entries online through the official awards submission platform.
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Complete and submit all entries by midnight on 31 January 2026.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Applying for the Stanbic Shield of Journalism Award
Media institutions must:
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Apply using the designated institutional application form
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Demonstrate excellence in:
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Public service impact
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Editorial governance and independence
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Journalistic standards and ethics
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Audience reach and platform diversity
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Talent development
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Institutional resilience
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Submission Rules and Formats
Submissions must comply with:
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Category-specific limits on the number of pieces
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Required formats for print, audio, video, online, and multimedia entries
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Language and translation requirements where applicable
Failure to follow submission guidelines may result in disqualification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting work outside the eligibility publication dates
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Entering the wrong category for the content
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Ignoring format or translation requirements
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Submitting more pieces than allowed per category
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Missing the final submission deadline
Careful review of category rules significantly improves chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is there an entry fee for the Uganda National Journalism Awards?
No. Participation is free for all eligible applicants.
2. Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. Both freelance and full-time journalists working in Uganda are eligible.
3. What platforms are eligible for submission?
Print, broadcast, online, multimedia, and visual journalism are all eligible.
4. Can one piece be submitted in multiple categories?
This depends on category-specific rules. Applicants should review guidelines carefully.
5. Who can apply for the Rising Star Award?
Journalists aged 25 years or younger producing high-quality work on any platform.
6. When is the submission deadline?
All entries must be submitted by midnight on 31 January 2026.
7. Who can apply for the Stanbic Shield of Journalism Award?
Only media institutions demonstrating sustained excellence and public service impact may apply.
Conclusion
The 12th Uganda National Journalism Awards reaffirm ACME’s commitment to promoting high-quality, ethical, and impactful journalism in Uganda.
By recognising individual excellence, institutional leadership, and emerging talent, the awards strengthen public-interest reporting and celebrate journalism that informs citizens, holds power to account, and contributes to a more open and engaged society.
For more information, visit ACME.
