Two journalists with The New Times were yesterday recognised for playing a major role in promoting public awareness about the East African Community (EAC) integration process. News Reporter James Karuhanga and Business Reporter beat other contenders in the five-nation bloc to emerge the best in the categories of political and business reporting. The awards, given out during a media summit in the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam, were organized by EAC and East African Business Council (EABC). Karuhanga was also named the best reporter in health matters related to the integration process. Joshua Masinde, from the Daily Nation newspaper of Kenya, emerged the overall EAC-EABC Journalist of the Year. The overall winner received a laptop and US$500, and the winner in every category US$500. There were eight categories; including, business, education, health, political reporting, photography, environment, finance and agriculture. Dr Richard Sezibera, the EAC secretary general, said the awards are geared towards promoting the role of media in the regional integration. “Through this platform, EAC and EABC recognise efforts of various media houses in the region and celebrate those journalists who consciously and consistently pursue and highlight the EAC story,” Former New Times scribe Eric Kabeera, now with Independent Rwanda, emerged third runners-up in the environment category having submitted a story published while he was still with The New Times Magnus Mazimpaka, of Kigali Today, Rwanda, was voted the second runners up in the Business category.
