By Amon Baita
The newly created all-inclusive online media body- Independent Online Journalists Association-Uganda (INDOJA-U) has elected its first leadership that is set to revolutionize Uganda’s media industry.
Mr Andrew Irumba, CEO of The Spy, an online newspaper and former senior Sales Executive at Red Pepper is INDOJA’s first President.
Irumba and his cabinet take office effective August 06, 2018.
‘’It is an honour to assume the position of President of Independent Online Journalists Association-Uganda,’’ said Mr Irumba upon election.
He added: ’’INDOJA-U’s goal is to be the main platform of all willing independent online publishers within Uganda to ensure their media rights and freedoms are respected and upheld. We also want to lead the way in professionalizing online media.”
Mr Irumba has media experience spanning over 15 years in the fields of news reporting, Public relations and advertising.
He is also a known human and media rights defender.
Six members have also been elected into other leadership roles and positions to help steer INDOJA to greater heights.
Ms Sarah Kagingo, the CEO and Managing Editor at SoftPower News is INDOJA’s Secretary General.
She is a Public Relations and Communications consultant. Ms Kagingo has previously worked at State House as a Special Presidential Assistant for Communications. She will be deputised by Bob Atwiine, the editor of Spy Reports.
Speaking after election, Ms Kagingo said: “I thank you very much for inviting SoftPower to join you. This association should link the online media fraternity in a bid to improve online journalism, deal with the challenges practitioners face as well as improve the quality. She added that “Uganda is a beautiful country, it’s not doom and gloom as our motherland is sometimes portrayed.”
“INDOJA-U should act as a medium through which the different media practitioners can express and echo their views as well as act as a mirror of all Ugandans,” she emphasized
The new Secretary General has called upon all registered and licensed online media to join INDOJA-U so that they can come together to network and share cutting – edge practices in the fast growing digital age for the benefit of all members.
Mr Taddewo William Senyonyi, a senior business journalist and the Managing Editor and Director at Business Focus has been elected the INDOJA Treasurer. He will be deputised by Milton Tumusiime from Spy Reports.
Mr Amon Baita , a senior sales and Public relations personnel with special interest in online and print media is the association’s elected publicist/Public relations officer.
He is a senior sales manager at Red Pepper Uganda and consulting marketing personnel with Business Focus, an online business magazine.
Mr Emmanuel Bazooba, who has over 20 years in the media in areas of sales and marketing, was elected Chairperson of the INDOJA-U Disciplinary Committee that will play a key role in professionalizing online media in Uganda. Bazooba is also a director and marketing boss at Business Focus.
He will be deputized by Dickson Mubiru, the Managing of the Grapevine.
Mr Raymond Wamala, a director at Spy reports was elected the Head of Welfare and Logistics department among other related roles.
INDOJA-U recently played a key role in the unconditional release of one of its members, Stanley Ndawula, the CEO and editor at The Investigator news website, who had been kidnapped by ISO operatives.
