Adjumani, (UG):- Daily Express journalist and regional correspondent in Busoga North Subregion, Tuuke Joseph Allan, has been honoured with a special award for his outstanding reporting on Adolescent, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), Gender Equality and other related issues.
The Awards were organised by Water Aid Uganda in partnership with other consortium partners like Forum for Women Educationalists(FAWE), Right to Play (RTP) and FHI 360 as part of the sexual health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project held in Buyende and Adjumani districts.
Tuuke, who is also a news anchor at KBS FM in Kamuli District emerged as one of the top awardees at the awards ceremony, held at Arenge Hotel in Adjumani Town Council that brought together key stakeholders, including the Chief Administrative Officers and LCV chairpersons of Buyende and Adjumani districts, as well as district health technical teams.
The Kamuli-based Express reporter was recognized in the Digital Media category for his exceptional work in promoting gender equality and adolescent sexual reproductive health rights under the SHARE project.
Some of the notable stories for which he was recognized include; Man on the run after defiling 10-year-old girl in Kamuli, Son and LC1 Chairman arrested after viral traditional marriage in Buyende, among others.
While presenting the awards at the ceremony, Mr Ikwapu Robert who represented the State Minister for Education and Sports, Mrs Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Commissioner for Primary Education, applauded the journalist for his efforts in advocating for adolescent health and urged them to continue their impactful work.
“Continue to advocate for the young population,” he said. “Be change agents until the change is reached positively; this is not the end.”
Mr Ikwapu further highlighted the role of Journalism in causing social change saying; “The recognition of these journalists highlights the role of media in advocating for adolescents and sparking informed discussions on health and Rights issues.”
Tuuke was among a select group of journalists recognized for their dedication to SRHR reporting, alongside Mutaka Moses, Opio Sam Caleb, Martin Ongomu, and Taiboth Mecheal.
Mutaka, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, thanked the consortium partners for recognizing their work and called on key stakeholders, particularly law enforcement, to be more cooperative in providing information on SRHR issues.
“We thank the consortium partners for these accolades, but also we urge the police and other stakeholders to give us information about SRHR issues,” he stated.
Before the awards ceremony, the selected journalists from Buyende and Adjumani Districts were trained on SRHR reporting last year by FAWE Uganda under the SHARE project.
The SHARE project, funded by Global Affairs Canada is being implemented in Ghana, Mozambique and Uganda. It aims to improve SRHR outcomes for over 272000 young populations aged 10-24, with 55% of the targeted group being female. Additionally, the project is expected to benefit 633029 people indirectly including health professionals, educators and civil society stakeholders.
About Tuuke Joseph
Tuuke Joseph Allan is a professional journalist holding a Diploma in Journalism from Mton Media Skills Masaka with the experience of 10 years in the field of radio and news reporting. His recognition is a testament to the critical role journalists play in shaping public discourse, influencing policy, and amplifying conversations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights in Uganda.
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