Glory Iribagiza, The New Times’ Gender and Innovation Editor, has been selected as the best female journalist of the year during the 10thedition of the 2023 Development Journalism Awards 2023. She won Rwf1 million prize money. The awarding ceremony took place at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village on November 7, 2023. Iribagiza’s story, Imigongo: The evolution of Rwanda’s traditional designs, talks about Rwandan traditional design pieces known as imigongo which are revered by both Rwandans and foreigners alike. An excited Iribagiza said this was the second time she had won an award in the same category. I am so happy to have won this award two years in a row. It means that my efforts are appreciated not just by my colleagues and I, but also the experts who were on the jury, she said. ALSO READ: Rwandan journalists celebrate Africa Day of Information The event coincided with celebrations of Africa Day of Information under the theme: “Media Development and Sustainability”. The event was organised by Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ), in collaboration with Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) and Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). Other Development Journalism Awards winners include Syldio Sebuharara, a journalist from Kigali Today, who won the feature story award in online media category, and Christophe Uwizeyimana, a reporter of Radio Salus, who secured health reporting award. ALSO READ: TNT sweeps media awards Léontine Ineza, a reporter from Energy Radio, got ICT and Telecommunication award. Three journalists secured child development reporting awards. These include Jean-Damascène Iradukunda from Ishingiro community radio, Clementine Uwiringiyimana from Radio Sarus, and Issa Kwigira from Flash TV. Julius Ngoga, a reporter from Ishingiro Radio, got sports reporting award. Jamal Habarurema, from Isango TV, and Médiatrice Umukunzi, from The Bridge Magazine, secured agriculture and livestock reporting awards. ALSO READ: Five TNT journalists shine at 2017 media awards Josue Alinatwe, from RBA-Radio Nyagatare, was awarded in disability and inclusion reporting award category. Anastase Twizeyimana from Ishingiro Radio won a documentary production award. Two journalists, namely Eric Twahirwa from Deep News and Védaste Kubwimana of TV 10, walked away with awards for data journalism reporting. Galileo Ntambara (previously at Flash TV) became the best in reporting about local governance and grassroot reporting. Innocent Habumugisha, a journalist from Radio Salus, emerged winner in reporting about the fight against teen pregnancies, while Valens Niyonkuru from Radio Nyagatare was the best in reporting about GBV and child abuse. Valens Havugimana, a journalist from Energy Radio, and Jean-Paul Turatsinze of RBA ,got awards for gender promotion, gender equality and inclusion reporting respectively. Désiré Bizimana of Ishingiro Radio produced the best talk show of the year. Aimable Uwizeyimana of Radio Huguka obtained governance and service delivery award. Julius Ngoga of Ishingiro Radio secured Rwf1.2 million and one laptop after emerging with best story of the year.
