Public Accountability Reporting Fellowship for Journalists (Uganda)

This fellowship is designed to strengthen journalists’ capacity to provide in-depth, evidence-based coverage of public accountability issues, with a particular focus on oversight, governance and service delivery.

Through this fellowship, participating journalists will gain the skills and support necessary to examine government actions, track public expenditure, assess the effectiveness of policies and programmes, and highlight gaps in service delivery. The programme will emphasise understanding and reporting on the systems of accountability, including oversight mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and institutional checks and balances.

Program Specifications 

• The Public Accountability Reporting Fellowship is a comprehensive capacity-building. The fellowship consists of multiple components, including in-person training workshops, ongoing mentorship and coaching, and structured editorial support for story production.
• Each participant will receive personalised mentoring and editorial coaching from experienced journalists and media professionals throughout the fellowship. Mentors will provide guidance on story development, from idea generation to final production; feedback on reporting techniques, and editorial support to refine stories for publication or broadcast.

Duration

• The fellowship includes a 10-day structured training course, delivered in two five-day sessions, blending theoretical instruction with hands-on practical learning:
  • Session 1: 17-21 March, 2025
  • Session 2: 5-9 May, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Accountability Reporting Fellowship is open to journalists, editors and independent news content producers from across Uganda who have a demonstrated interest in public accountability reporting. The fellowship will select 15 participants per cohort, with about half of the slots reserved for journalists from Karamoja, Northern Uganda, and West Nile—the programme’s focal regions. However, applications are welcomed from journalists based anywhere in Uganda.
• ACME strongly encourages female journalists to apply. The fellowship is committed to promoting gender diversity and inclusion in accountability journalism, recognising the importance of amplifying diverse perspectives in media reporting on governance, service delivery, and public affairs.

Application Requirements

• A full application must include the following:
  • At least three published or broadcast stories related to public accountability, governance or public affairs.
  • A signed letter from your supervisor confirming support for your participation and committing to publish or broadcast the story produced through the fellowship.

For more information, visit ACME.