If there is any organization that nurtured and mentored me and sharpened by critical edges, it is The Observer.
I joined The Observer in March 2005 shortly before I graduated at Makerere University. In my second and third year at University I had worked for two other papers, The Sunrise and the short-lived Evening Mail.
When I left university, unlike many young people today, I had a few job choices. The department of Sociology had offered me a teaching position which I turned down. I was the best in my year in my course (BASS) despite working while studying. Like he often reminds me whenever I run into him, Prof Edward Kirumira will never forgive me for turning down his offer.
The truth is my heart is in journalism.
I have to say that I am fortunate to have grown up in a home where my father bought at least three newspapers every day. Other days he would buy five. So I started reading newpapers at a very young age. Even in secondary school, I was known as ‘munamawulire.”
I edited the school newspaper at Kibuli SS in my senior two (Tropical Analyst), a feat in itself. So, I was always destined to be a journalist. Along my journalism journey I have gotten several opportunities to leave journalism but I have resisted the urge. I am still here.
At the Sunrise, Musaazi Namiti, Henry Lutaaya, Hadijah Nakitende (RIP), William Odinga, David Tumusiime and Ramathan Ggoobi (PS of Finance) all set me off on my journalism journey. They introduced me to real professional journalism.
At Evening Mail, Odoobo Bichaachi, Badru Mulumba and Chris Obore further sharpened my edges.
Yet it was at The Observer where I came of age as a journalist. Observer had that intellectual feel to it, the no-holds-barred approach to news that made it appealing. Nothing was off limits unless it was unethical. It had a thoroughness to news reporting. It is at The Observer where I was introduced to news analysis (what it entails).
Variously I worked with a talented team that included: Kevin Aliro, Linda Nabusaayi, James Tumusiime, Ssemujju Nganda, Pius Katunzi, Richard Kavuma, Dr Sarah Namulondo, Badru Zziwa, Elizabeth Kameo, Robert Madoi, Vianney Nsimbe, Crispin Mukasa, Shifa Mwesigye, Dr Charlotte Kaweesa, David Lumu and so many others I have not mentioned here.
In 2017, I left The Observer and was lured to Next Media to help start their online portal. This is one of my biggest career mistakes. It took me 10 steps backwards. That’s all I can say.
I have tried to correct this mistake by co-founding bbegmedia.com, which is anchored in the values of journalism that I was taught and mentored in. I have no shame in admitting that bbegmedia.com takes its biggest inspiration from The Observer.
Kudos to The Observer at it makes 20 years.
