Meet the 2025 IGAD Media Awards Jury

A veteran broadcaster with more than 20 years of experience, she serves as Head of Production and Coordinator at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). She has anchored health and lifestyle shows, directed live broadcasts, and led special projects that strengthened UBC’s role as a trusted public broadcaster.

Passionate about socially relevant storytelling, she has produced series on palliative care, vitiligo, and televised medical camps, raising awareness on public health. Alongside her production work, she mentors young on-air talent and emerging journalists. A returning juror for the IGAD Media Awards, she brings expertise in impactful programming, mentorship, and community-focused media.

A South Sudanese journalist with extensive experience in broadcast and print media, he has worked with Southern Eye Newspaper, Bakhita Radio, and the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation. He covered the 2014–2015 South Sudan peace talks in Ethiopia and, following the 2015 peace deal, joined Feature Story News (FSN), where he continues to serve as senior news producer and correspondent.

Through FSN, his reports reach global outlets including CGTN, SABC, CBC, WION, I24, TRT, and DW. Elected in 2021, he is the current President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS). In 2023, he was honoured as South Sudan’s Human Rights Defender of the Year, reflecting his commitment to press freedom and justice.

With nearly three decades in journalism, she is Senior News Editor at UBC TV. She began her career at WBS TV, where she rose to Chief News Editor and became Uganda’s first female Luganda TV anchor. Since 2006, she has overseen news production at UBC, editing scripts, managing teams, and mentoring junior reporters.

Her training includes media security (RSF Berlin), countering radicalisation (Radio Netherlands), and media-based peacebuilding. She has also participated in the US International Leadership Programme. Serving on the IGAD Media Awards jury for the third time, she remains committed to advancing journalism that supports peace, climate resilience, and community engagement.

An English News Anchor at Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, she has over 10 years’ experience presenting national news and eight years as a master of ceremonies. Holding dual degrees in Horticulture and English Language and Literature, she is recognised for her clarity, confidence, and ability to engage audiences.

Beyond the newsroom, she has hosted major national events, including the launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. She uses every platform to amplify Ethiopia’s reforms and development story, bringing global visibility to the country’s transformation. Her blend of newsroom expertise and stage presence underscores her commitment to representing Ethiopia on local and international platforms.

A medical doctor and journalist, she leads Willow Health Media, Kenya’s pioneering digital health journalism platform. Her career spans clinical practice, broadcast journalism, and digital media entrepreneurship, earning recognition such as the Uzalendo Award for COVID-19 coverage and a Gates Foundation grant to expand health storytelling. She holds degrees in Medicine and Development Communication from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from USIU–Africa. Her work champions African-led, solutions-driven reporting that amplifies vulnerable voices and shapes public health policy.

Founder and CEO of Groupe Fouzo Media Inc., he oversees a network of global publications and brands, including DiasporaDjibouti.com, which highlights diaspora engagement and innovation. He also leads Zamdawi Productions, producing culturally impactful films while integrating AI and agile workflows.

With over 15 years’ experience in media and marketing, he builds bridges between communities, content, and sustainable business models. As a jury member for Musicaction and SODEC, he supports diverse artistic voices. His vision is to mobilise the African diaspora in driving growth through media, technology, and the creative economy.

A Ugandan multimedia manager and broadcast news editor, she has over a decade of experience in reporting, anchoring, and newsroom leadership.

Her investigative work has focused on environmental issues, human rights, and gender, shaping stories that empower communities and advance accountability. She also trains and mentors journalists, ensuring integrity and impact in public-interest reporting. With her background in environmental journalism, she brings valuable expertise on media’s role in climate action and resilience.

Currently CEO of Somalia’s National Media Council, he is a communications leader with more than 20 years’ experience. He previously served as Editor at BBC Somali, covering major political and cultural events, and later advised Somalia’s Ministries of Information and Finance. He has also lectured in journalism, founded a consultancy to strengthen media ethics, and supported UK-based community organisations. With academic training in journalism, international relations, and business administration, he is committed to strengthening media institutions, promoting integrity, and connecting communities across cultures.

Managing Editor of Sudans Post, he is a South Sudanese journalist with a decade of experience in newsroom leadership and public-interest reporting.

He has previously worked with the South Sudan Mining Journal, The City Review, and Juba Monitor. Beyond journalism, he has contributed to advocacy and media engagement on women’s rights through civil society work. A certified fact-checker and alumnus of the Radio Netherlands Training Center, he is dedicated to accuracy, ethical reporting, and countering misinformation in fragile contexts.

An Ethiopian filmmaker, producer, and political scientist, he co-owns Rusty Town Films, producing documentaries, dramas, and advocacy projects. He directed the acclaimed TV series Gera Kegn (Left Right) and his films have screened at Hot Docs, Winterthur, and other international festivals.

Recipient of the Cultural Diversity Award for Sharing and the DW Development Fund, he has represented Africa in global storytelling initiatives such as Switzerland’s 5x5x5 Project.

A former lecturer at Addis Ababa University, he taught politics, diplomacy, and human rights, combining academic depth with creative vision in storytelling.

A lecturer and communications consultant with more than 13 years’ experience, he serves at Mekelle University and coordinates the Mekelle American Corner, a joint initiative with the US Embassy in Addis Ababa. His work spans community engagement, capacity building, and peacebuilding communication, including leadership of a NUFFIC-funded project on digital innovation and youth empowerment.

He has also worked as a news editor and runs a media consultancy focused on research and training. A certified sustainability leadership fellow and Global Research Network Associate, he contributes to professional volunteerism in climate communication, peacebuilding, and media literacy. His career reflects a deep commitment to empowering youth, communities, and civic dialogue.

Senior Radio News Editor with more than 17 years’ experience, she was part of the team that first proposed the establishment of the IGAD Media Awards in 2018. Her role in shaping the initiative gives her unique institutional memory and a deep commitment to its vision.

Throughout her career, she has championed ethics, accuracy, and human rights reporting, while mentoring colleagues across the region. She has consistently used radio as a tool for social impact, helping communities access reliable information and strengthening accountability. Returning as a juror, she brings both professional expertise and a strong personal connection to the values underpinning the awards.

English News Editor and Senior Advisor on International Relations at Somalia’s National News Agency (SONNA), he has more than a decade of experience at the nexus of policy, governance, and media.

His expertise spans strategic communication, digital transformation, and public diplomacy, including leading cybersecurity and transparency reforms under the DFID-supported Open Government Initiative. Previously, he worked on integrating AI and digital tools into newsroom operations, strengthening media ethics and crisis communication. With a strong background in international relations and journalism, he is passionate about media’s role in shaping national narratives, promoting accountability, and highlighting innovation across the Horn of Africa.

A strategic communications and policy expert with nearly two decades of experience, he has held senior government and advisory roles in Somalia, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Communications at the Presidency.

His career combines public policy, journalism training, and civil society engagement, with a focus on peacebuilding, crisis management, and countering disinformation. He has advised ministries, trained journalists across the region, and enhanced digital government communication, including on natural resources. He holds a Master’s in Public Management and International Cooperation from Kehl University in Germany, as well as a degree in Media and Communication Studies. Fluent in Somali, English, and Arabic, he is widely recognised for bridging governance, media, and diplomacy.

A Sudanese journalist, editor, and media trainer, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of Sawt News Media while contributing to Andariya and Al-Shaab newspapers. His reporting covers politics, society, and environmental issues, with a strong focus on youth engagement and civic leadership.

He leads the Active Youth Cultural Development Group, promoting media literacy and participation. His career includes roles as a radio producer, investigative reporter, and press officer. A recipient of the Nasser International Leadership Fellowship and the AMEL Leadership Program, he has represented Sudan internationally, including at the Qatar Debate Championship. He is committed to ethical journalism, climate storytelling, and amplifying marginalised voices across the IGAD region.

An Assistant Director at the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), she oversees Media Training and Curriculum Development and has been the Team Leader for the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) for the past six years. With over 25 years’ experience in journalism and media development, she has played a key role in digitising the AJEA process and mentoring emerging journalists.

She began her career at Kenya Television Network (KTN), where she rose to editor, later serving as founding Director and CEO of Mbaitu FM. A former journalism lecturer at Kenya Methodist University, she has also led and supported regional initiatives advancing gender equality and media leadership. In 2022, she received the Presidential Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) for her contribution to media growth and women’s empowerment.

A multimedia journalist, communications strategist, and academic leader, she has over a decade of experience across broadcast, print, digital, and fact-checking journalism. She currently serves as Press Secretary in the Office of the Secretary General of the SPLM and as Head of the Journalism and Media Department at the University of Juba, where she leads academic programmes and mentorship initiatives.

She is the Founder of Fursa Link, which connects South Sudanese to education and career opportunities, and the Media Development Foundation, which promotes media literacy and civic engagement. A Mandela Washington Fellow and former AFP fact-checker, she has collaborated with CNN International, Eye Radio, and SSBC. Her work focuses on amplifying women’s voices, empowering youth, and advancing ethical, inclusive, and resilient media in fragile contexts.

A seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience, he serves as Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief at the Djiboutian Information Agency (ADI). His career reflects a deep commitment to journalistic excellence and press freedom in Djibouti and beyond. From 2003 to 2010, he worked as a correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP), an experience that broadened his international perspective and strengthened his editorial leadership.

In 2011, he was elected the first President of the Djiboutian Journalists’ Network for the Promotion of Human Rights, underscoring his dedication to ethical reporting and advocacy. A member of the African Publishers Forum, he continues to promote independent journalism and creative expression through his ongoing literary and media projects.

Mohamed Osman Adam is a veteran media professional, editor, and translation expert with more than three decades of experience in journalism, media training, and communication advisory. He has held senior leadership roles in Sudan’s media landscape, including serving as Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, and Deputy Director General of the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) between 2020 and 2021. From 2010 to 2014, he led Sudanow magazine as Editor-in-Chief and strengthened its role as a platform for in-depth reporting on Sudan and the region.

His international media experience spans over 28 years as Sudan Correspondent for The Associated Press (AP) and as a Correspondent for the Pan-African News Agency (PANA). Alongside journalism, he is a certified trainer with the Thomson Foundation and British Council, having facilitated capacity-building programs for journalists across Sudan since 2012. He also consults for UNICEF and leads Osman for Translation, a firm specializing in editorial consultancy and media translation.

He holds a BA in Languages and two Master’s degrees in Translation and Linguistics from the University of Khartoum. He is fluent in Arabic and English, with working knowledge of French.