The Voice of America (VoA) has wrapped up a transformative three-day training session aimed at strengthening investigative reporting for journalists at Next Media Group.
The workshop, designed for over 20 journalists, was part of a broader initiative to bolster the quality of in-depth journalism in Uganda, particularly as the country approaches a politically charged year.
Experts at the training that was supported by the US Agency for Media Development, emphasised the pivotal role of investigative journalism in unveiling societal issues and promoting transparency.
“Investigative reports focus on exposing wrongdoing to create a better, more transparent environment,” said Kenyan investigative journalist John-Allan Namu, co-founder of Africa Uncensored.
“Through the knowledge gained from these reports, real action can be taken to improve Uganda.”
The training, with Namu as the lead facilitator and fellow Kenyan journalist Mary Wambui, centred on equipping journalists with the tools to produce meaningful and impactful investigative pieces.
Both journalists stressed the need for reporters to rethink their approach in an evolving media landscape, where audiences demand more than just breaking news.
“You must ask yourself: What value are you providing to your audience, your community, and your country through journalism? If people can get the same information elsewhere, they will. The key is improving journalism to better communicate its value,” Namu urged.
VoA’s regional representative for Eastern and Southern Africa, Peter Byengoma, also underscored the growing need for in-depth analysis.
“News is news, but the audience is asking for more. They want stories that go beyond the surface,” Byengoma said, noting the prevalent lack of investigative depth in social media reporting.
The training came as a response to a widening gap in investigative journalism, especially as seasoned reporters transition into editorial and managerial roles.
Byengoma said: “Many outstanding investigative journalists have moved up the ranks. Some are still reporting, while others have taken editorial or managerial positions. We saw a gap and a need to train young, upcoming journalists to fill it.”
This training session also formed part of the long-standing partnership between VoA and Next Media, aimed at continuously improving journalistic standards.
Both organisations plan to assess the impact of the program with evaluations from journalists and management.
Tracy Kansiime, a reporter and anchor at Next Media, expressed her enthusiasm, calling the experience a “game-changer.”
“It’s been three days of incredible insights and experiences. As we head into a politically active year, I feel ready, and I believe my colleagues do too,” she said.
The timing of the training couldn’t be more critical, as Uganda prepares for a year that is likely to see heightened political activity.
Alex Mugasha, bureau chief for the Ankole Sub-region in Western Uganda, spoke about the practical impact of the training: “This training was invaluable. I needed it so much. It means a lot for crafting my work and improving my storytelling.”
Dan Ayebare, a reporter at Next Media, also highlighted the importance of the training in maintaining journalistic integrity.
“While investigative journalism principles aren’t entirely new, constant practice can sometimes cause journalists to lose sight of core values. This training reminded me why investigative journalism matters and how I can contribute to accountability,” he said.
As Uganda's political landscape heats up, media houses like Next Media are increasingly turning to investigative journalism to hold power to account and provide deeper insights into public affairs.
Journalists from across Next Media Group are confident that the new skills gained will lead to more impactful and responsible reporting in the years ahead.
This was the second training in a year armed at boosting news content delivery and career growth for Next Media journalists.
Last year, the VoA also trained a select group of journalists on using artificial intelligence (AI) in the wider journalism scope from news gathering to production.