African Centre for Media Excellence

African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME).

 African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) emerge as beacons of change. Established in 2009, ACME has been instrumental in fostering excellence in journalism and mass communication in Africa, starting with its impactful initiatives in Uganda. With a strategic focus on bridging the gap between the media industry and academic institutions, ACME aims to empower the media as an effective platform for information dissemination, a watchdog for official power, and a catalyst for vibrant public debate. Origins and Vision:ACME’s inception can be traced back to 2005, where informal discussions between Mr. Peter Mwesige (PhD) and Mr. Bernard Tabaire, both distinguished figures in senior editorial positions at the Daily Monitor and co-teachers of journalism at Makerere University, planted the seeds of a media development organization. Their vision was clear: to establish an organization that offers mid-career training for journalists with unparalleled speed and quality, media literacy training for the wider population, comprehensive media research, media monitoring, and fervent advocacy for freedom of expression. Structure and Governance:With a dedicated team of approximately a dozen employees and an expanding network of external trainers and researchers, ACME is a formidable force in advancing media excellence. The organization operates under the governance of a general meeting comprising subscribers, a board of directors responsible for policy-making, and a dynamic management team that diligently carries out the center’s day-to-day activities. A Commitment to African Development:ACME’s overarching strategic objective is to contribute to Africa’s development by fostering a vibrant, free, and skilled media landscape that informs and engages communities, thereby empowering them to hold power to account. While ACME’s primary focus has been Uganda, its impact stretches beyond national borders. The organization has collaborated with various training and advocacy partners across the continent, including Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House, the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, Internews, the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET), the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), the Natural Resource Governance Institute, PensPlusBytes, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A Regional Presence:Though rooted in Uganda, ACME’s influence has traversed national boundaries, leaving an indelible mark in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and even beyond. Journalists from over ten African nations have benefited from ACME’s training programs, further cementing the organization’s commitment to fostering a pan-African network of skilled media professionals.