The Birth of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub: A New Dawn for Journalism in the Great Lakes Region

Ukweli Coalition Media hub fellows pose for a photo after a training in January 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting sought to capacity build investigative journalists from Francophone and Anglophone countries on using evidence-based data to tell stories

As I walked into the conference hall, I could feel the aura of excitement and the expectation visible on the journalists’ faces gathered in the room. They listened intently as trainer Thomas Mukhwana, from Africa Uncensored, a Kenyan media house, shared his experience pushing for policy change through his data piece on marital rape in Kenya. The simultaneous translation in English and French embodied the “leave no one behind” principle, as all the journalists could relate to what was being discussed.

The journalists were part of the beneficiaries of the Ukweli Coalition Media Hub, a center that empowers and builds the capacity of journalists from East Africa and the Great Lakes region, encouraging cross-collaboration on stories in the area.

The hub’s journey began in March 2023, during the Fojo Institute’s conference on “Sustainable Journalism” in Nairobi, Kenya. The hub’s founder, Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, a journalist and media consultant who fled Burundi in 2016, developed a desire to raise a new crop of journalists after realizing that sustainable journalism was largely theoretical in East Africa.


Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, Founder of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub during the interview in Nairobi, Kenya.

“I have always been concerned about the fragile state of media and journalism in my region. In Burundi, newsrooms frequently close under security threats, and many journalists abandon the profession due to poor pay. Over a hundred journalists fled Burundi nearly a decade ago after the destruction of the country’s primary private media outlets, and many are still struggling to survive in exile. My desire is to ensure that they can not only be equipped to write in-depth stories but also remain safe while doing so,” said Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, Founder of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub.

He has a special interest in the Great Lakes region—countries like Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda—which have been sidelined due to their shared French-speaking history, in contrast to the predominantly English-speaking East Africa. “Throughout history, their fates have been deeply intertwined—often tragically so. Political instability, crises, and conflicts in one country inevitably ripple across the region. Journalists and media outlets, caught in the crossfire, are frequently among the most vulnerable, operating in an environment marked by political volatility, economic instability, and constant security threats. Unfortunately, this precarious situation forces the local population to rely on underfunded media, with journalists often grappling with ethical challenges and personal risks,” said Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, Founder of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub.

At the Fojo Institute conference, Gilbert had one goal: to raise awareness about the dire circumstances facing journalists in the Great Lakes region. Armed with stories of determination, resilience, and courage, he drew attention and appealed to anyone who would listen. His passion was fueled by the journalists who continue to persevere despite enormous challenges. He believes their work is crucial not only to inform their communities but also to offer a glimmer of hope in a region often forgotten or misunderstood.

Tom Mukhwana, an investigative journalist and factchecker at Africa Uncensored, takes participants through a session on data story telling during a training by Ukweli Coalition Media hub in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ukweli’s mission is simple but ambitious: to foster in-depth journalism in the Great Lakes region. With the support of Africa Uncensored, a Kenyan investigative media house, Ukweli was able to launch with a wealth of expertise and experience backing its vision. One of Ukweli’s core ambitions is to bridge the gap between the Great Lakes region and the Anglophone East African media landscape.

Later in 2023, Bukeyeneza had the privilege of attending the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the first time, with support from the Fojo Institute under CHARM. The conference left a lasting impression on him, particularly the success stories, resilience, and innovative models from around the world.

“I came out of it with two key realizations: the Great Lakes region is not the only place where media faces enormous challenges, and despite these challenges, there is hope for a better future. I returned to the region full of hope and energy, ready to push forward with the vision for Ukweli. Early in 2024, Ukweli Coalition Media Hub secured its first financial partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation, a crucial step that solidified our place in the regional media arena,” said Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, Founder of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub.

Africa Uncensored Co- Founder John Allan Namu, who is among the key people behind the forming of the Ukweli Coalition Media Hub

He believes Ukweli’s progress would not have been possible without the support of individuals who believed in its mission from the start, including SIDA, Fojo Institute, Maxime Domegni, GIJN’s French editor, and John Allan Namu, the founder of Africa Uncensored, for their unwavering advocacy and support.

“The progress made by Ukweli Coalition Media Hub in its short time since inception is a testament to the power of perseverance, collaboration, and belief in the transformative potential of journalism. Our work is just beginning, but the future looks promising for journalism in the Great Lakes region,” said Gilbert Armel Bukeyeneza, Founder of Ukweli Coalition Media Hub.


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