By Frank Kamuntu
Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Coordinator for Greater Mukono Gashegu Muramira has won the 2024 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Media award.
COMESA is an African economic grouping of 21 member states with over 600 million people, making it the largest market for trade & investment in the world.
“Gashegu’s article was relevant, informative, and well-presented and no doubt contributed immensely to promoting awareness of the benefits and impact of the COMESA regional integration agenda,” reads a letter signed by Mwangi Gakunga, the Head of Communications, on behalf of COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe.
Gakunga added that the information presented in the article encouraged stakeholders and citizens to understand and support the development initiatives promoted under the regional integration agenda for the benefit of the region at large.
“The article not only underscores Gashegu’s ability to present relevant and impactful content, but also serves as an inspiration to stakeholders and citizens across the region,” he said.
As with the established COMESA practice, Gashegu will be presented with the excellence award during the Heads of State and Government summit this year.
When contacted, Gashegu said; “I gladly welcome the award. Writing is my job and therefore, I always strive to positively contribute to society. I encourage fellow journalists to focus on areas that will fast track development in Africa.”
Gashegu, who is a seasoned business journalist, is currently a freelance writer for different news agencies in Uganda and regional media houses like The Arusha News, the East African News Agency in Tanzania, and The New Times in Rwanda.
Last month, he established his own media organization – African Integration News Agency (AfINA), which will be a one-stop center for news and analysis of integration stories in Africa.
Gashegu has a history of being a passionate promoter of Africa’s Integration process. In 2012, he was appointed by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat as one of pioneer EAC Youth Ambassadors to champion integration in the region.
He is also one of the members of COMESA Business Reporters Forum (COMBREF), that was established by the COMESA Competition Commission, based in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Gashegu is born to a renowned educationist in Uganda, the late M.G Haaje Gashegu, who was a headmaster in many government schools in Uganda like; Ngora High School, Muntuyera High School, Kitunga, Kitante Hill School, Bishop’s Senior School Mukono, Mackay College, Natete, among others. Some of his former students include; Gen. Felix Kulaigye, the Spokesperson of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
According to former Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, Mzee Gashegu, who was laid to rest at his home in Mukono in 2011, is also fondly remembered to have contributed greatly to the NRA liberation struggle.
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