According to the organisers, “The Journalist of the Year will win a trophy and Ushs2, 000,000 (about US$1,142) while winners in other categories will receive half that amount.”
The awards are categorized as follows;
•Business Journalist of the year.
•Cartoonist of the year
•Education Journalist of the year
•War & conflict Journalist of the year
•Travel Journalist of the year
•Investigative Journalist of the year
•ICT Journalist of the year
•Female Journalist of the year
•Photo Journalist of the year
•Environment Journalist of the year
•Columnist of the year
•Sports Journalist of the year
•Entertainment Journalist of the year
•Health Affairs Journalist of the year
•Property writer of the year
The awards are open to Ugandan journalists working for media organizations that target the Ugandan audience. “Entries must tell the story in a clear and balanced manner; communicate issues in a comprehensive way and demonstrate the relevant journalistic skills,” said the organizers. Articles submitted must fall within January 1 and October 2007.
Journalists are required to submit one copy of their best published articles. According to the organizers, entries submitted in the local language must be accompanied by an English translation”. All entries have to be accompanied with completed forms, and where necessary, with a brief description of what led you to the topic and any challenges faced in developing the story.
The Golden Pen Awards were initiated in 2005 to honour and generate public recognition of the efforts, accomplishments, and positive contributions of Journalists in Uganda. The awards aim to promote uncompromising independence and commitment to the truth, which are hallmarks of good journalism. The gala ceremony is scheduled for December 7.
The awards are administered by Makerere University Mass Communication Department and the National Institute of Journalist in Uganda and coordinated by Real Marketing and Bullseye! Creative.
During the inaugural Golden Awards in 2005, Simon Kasyate a journalist with Nation Television Uganda's (NTV) formerly of the Daily Monitor scooped the overall Golden Pen Award; Journalist of the Year. Kasyate had also won the 2004 CNN Journalist of Year. The awards were however not held last year due to financial constraints.
Other winners of different categories the 2005 Golden Pen Awards included Jennifer Austin, Environmental Journalist of the Year (The New Vision), Muhereza Kyamuterera, Financial Journalist of the Year (Daily Monitor), Musinguzi Bamuturaki, ICT Journalist of the Year (The East African), Robert Mugagga, Sports Journalist of the Year (Daily Monitor), Aldrine Nsubuga, Columnist of the Year (The New Vision), Frank Walusimbi for arts and culture (Daily Monitor), Edris Kisambira and Daniel Karibwije of East African Business Week newspaper.
A panel of judges will select the winners and runner-ups for the awards. The judges will look out for entries that: Tell the story in a clear and balanced manner; communicate issues in a comprehensive way, communicate issues in a way that is accessible and relevant to their audiences, demonstrate originality and journalistic flair; display well organized research, depth and insight,” the organizers said.
Those who wish to participate in the awards are advised download the entry forms from http://www.goldenpenawards.com and send them together with samples of their work to the Gold Pen Awards Liaison Office on Plot 96, Bukoto Street, Kamwokya P.O. Box 643 Kampala. Alternatively, you can scan and send them as email attachments to , and , before November 21.
