By Mirembe Christine
Uganda Christian University (UCU) alumnus, Ronah Nahabwe, has been recognized for her excellent work in the field of business, economy and finance reporting 2024 by the Uganda National Journalism Awards.

May 30th 2025 will forever hold a special place in her heart as she holds her award, smiling and reflecting on the hard work and passion that led to this achievement.

She received honorable mentions at the awards that are organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) in both 2023 and 2024, coming in as second runner-up in a highly competitive category dominated by senior journalists with over a decade of experience. 

“Having my work recognized alongside these seasoned professionals is truly encouraging,” she said. 

Her work has also earned her multiple accolades in the insurance space, including recognitions organized by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), where she progressed from second runner-up in 2023 to first runner-up in 2024.

“Interestingly, I hadn’t planned to specialize in business reporting until I joined Smart24 TV, a business-focused station, in 2022,” Nahabwe recalls.

Over the next two-and-a-half years, her time at Smart24 TV became a turning point that broadened her understanding of the impact of business journalism, growing through every story she worked on. This was a stepping stone that led her to Nation Media Group, home to NTV and the Daily Monitor, in May 2024 where she currently serves as a multi-platform business journalist. In her work, Nahabwe strives to create engaging and informative content for diverse audiences.

Most recently, Nahabwe has been recognized for stories centered around public accountability, submitting four investigative pieces published in the Daily Monitor.  Her fact-finding articles were:

• “Bottomless Pits? Cost of Government Ventures,” a story that examined various government projects where a lot of money has been invested with little or no return. It highlighted the burden on taxpayers and the urgent need for better accountability;
• “Execution of Govt Projects Poor, Says NPA,” a piece revealing that only 10% of government projects are on schedule;
• “Report Casts Extractives Sector in Negative Light” and;
• “Uganda Loses Sh4.4 trillion ($1.2 billion) to Uncommercialized Waste.”

Her passion for journalism began at her home in western Uganda’s Ntungamo district, where she was always captivated by how anchors delivered stories with such poise and confidence during news hours on television. That admiration inspired her to pursue a degree in Mass Communication at UCU in 2017. As an excited freshman at the time, Nahabwe got carried away and ended up with three retakes and had to take a dead year. 

“That experience was painful and humbling, but it turned out to be my wake-up call,” Nahabwe said.  “I returned with a deep sense of discipline, determined to turn things around. I pushed myself, and eventually graduated in 2021 with a second-class upper degree.” 

Nahabwe commends UCU’s School of Journalism, Media and Communication lecturers for their commitment to hands-on practical training for students. It is that knowledge she gained at UCU that enables her to share impactful stories that inspire and educate audiences.

“I’m especially grateful to Mr. Geoffrey Ssenoga, Mr. Okoku Obomba, and Mr. Frank Obonyo,” she said. “They made the learning experience both valuable and enjoyable.” 

Nahabwe also recognizes that succeeding in the newsroom demands both agility and tenacity. She encourages aspiring journalists to seek hands-on field experience and, when covering business, understanding “misreporting figures can have serious consequences.” Nahabwe believes the hallmark of a great business journalist lies in understanding money and always following its trail. 

“If you want to stand out, read widely about economics, policy, and market trends,” she said. “Most importantly, find your niche within the sector. Being an all-rounder is good, but rarely effective. Mastery comes from focus.”

This year, she plans to work on a story about microinsurance, focusing on market traders. 

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