“Science Journalism: Uncovering

Untapped Potential for Development”

Prepared by Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA)

 Host Organization: Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA)
Bidding team:

1. Aida Nanyonjo (The New Vision)

2. Alice Endra (National Fisheries Resources Research Institute)
3. Aminah Bukenya (Uganda National Council for Science and Technology)
4. Andrew Otuba (S&T Magazine)
5. Angelo Izama (Daily Monitor)
6. Arthur Makara (Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development)
7. Charles Wendo, Saturday Vision Editor (The New Vision)
8. Grace Musimami (Farmers Media)
9. Henry Lutaaya (The Sunrise weekly)
10. Nurudean Sempa (Agency for Science and Technology Advancement in Uganda)
11. Patrick Luganda (Network of Climate Journalists of the Greater Horn of Africa)
12. Peter Wamboga Mugirya (Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development)
13. Robert Anguzu (National Agricultural Research Organisation)
14. Ruth Muguta (Kampala City Council)
15. Sarah Zawedde (Bukedde Newspaper)
16. William Odinga Balikuddembe (Uganda Science Journalists Association)

“We need efficient science writing and reporting to improve the wellbeing of
communities,” Prof. Paul Edward Mugambi, President, Uganda National Acad-
emy of Sciences (UNAS), addressing a media workshop May 29, 2009 at Grand
Imperial Hotel Kampala
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

Letters of support 1-14

Main bid (welcome to Kampala) 15-23
Profiles of bidding team 23-26
Dates and Venues 26-27
Conference timetable 28
Programme themes 28-31

Annexes:

Annex 1: Online clips on the Uganda Conference for

Science Communication 2008

Annex 2: Brief report of the Uganda Conference for

Science Communication 2008
 LETTERS OF SUPPORT

May 23, 2009

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR USJA BID TO HOST WCSJ 2011

From William Odinga Balikuddembe, Chair, USJA

Dear Board of the WFSJ,

I am happy to support the bid of the Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA) to
host the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2011 in Kampala.

Uganda has undergone fundamental changes in the past 20 years and is now one of
the most progressive countries in Africa, with an annual economic growth rate of six
percent.

Science journalism has become a visible element in the country’s media mainly due to
investment in scientific research and liberalization of the media.

The USJA put a grand mark when it successfully organized and hosted the Uganda
Conference for Science Communication last November in Kampala. Over 200
delegates from different parts of the world participated in it. In his speech, the
President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, pledged support for the development
of science journalism in Uganda and Africa.

Uganda is politically stable. Kampala is a peaceful and secure city. In addition, the cost
of living is comparatively low. Entebbe International Airport is well linked to the rest of
the world. These are among the factors that have made Kampala a popular venue for
international conferences today. Of relevance to science journalism, centres of
scientific research around the country can easily be accessed by road.

I am confident that the USJA will give us a very wonderful conference, given its
experience, and the support it enjoys the government and nongovernmental
organizations.

Yours Faithfully,

William Odinga Balikuddembe

CHAIR, USJA

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 Network of Climate Journalists in
the Greater Horn of Africa
Old Namilyango Road,
Off Jinja-Kampala Highway
Plot 57, Gwafu Seeta
Kampala Uganda
June 9th 2009

Dear Friend of NECJOGHA,

Uganda’s Bid To Host The World Conference of Science

Journalists
The Network of Climate Journalists in the Greater Horn of Africa
(NECJOGHA) writes to all of you in support of the candidature of
the Uganda Science Journalists Association(USJA) to host the next
World Conference of Science Journalists in 2011 in Kampala,
Uganda. We urge all science based associations, federations and
organizations in the developing and developed economies of the
world to do likewise and give moral, technical and any other form of
support to Uganda’s bid to host this eminent assembly.

The hosting of this important meeting for the first time in Africa is of
great significance to the building of stronger science journalism in
the developing countries. The unity of African, Asian, Arab,
European and American as well as all other science associations
towards support for Uganda will further cement the solidarity of the
science journalism movement worldwide.

NECJOGHA pledges to offer technical support towards the

organization of all climate science and climate change related
segments of the conference in the main sessions as well as any side
relevant events. We will also give our expertise and advice towards
the successful organization of the main conference from the initial
planning stage to the final hosting of the historic conference.

NECJOGHA’s special relationship with the Meteorological

Community in Africa, the World Meteorological Organization in
Geneva, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center
(ICPAC) in Nairobi , the International Research Institute for Climate
and Society in New York, the National Oceanic Atmospheric
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Administration Office of Global Programs (USA), the African Center
for Meteorological Applications and Development(ACMAD) in
Niamey , Niger and the Climate for Development (CLIMDEV)
Program in Addis Ababa will all go a long way in ensuring successful
implementation of the Climate Change related segments of the
Kampala conference.

You and your organization have been identified as crucial supporters

for the successful bid for Uganda to host this conference. We look
forward to your favorable unwavering response and support.

Patrick Luganda
Patrick Luganda
Chairman
Network of Climate Journalists in the GHA
NECJOGHA SECRETARIAT KAMPALA..
Website: www.necjogha.org/
Email: patrick_luganda@yahoo.com

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 For a reliable
coverage of
science news [RWANDA ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE JOURNALISTS]

The President,
Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA) April 20, 2009
P.O.Box 16569, Wandegeya
Naalya, Kamuli Road

Dear Sir,

RE: SUPPORT TO USJA BID FOR THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF SCIENCE JOURNALISTS 2011

On behalf of the Rwanda Association of Science Journalists (RASJ), this is to confirm our full
support to the Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA) for its bid to host the World
Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2011.

We are especially commending your efforts in organizing the previous gather ing, the Uganda
Conference for Science Communication 2008 (UCSC-08), held November 24-26, 2008, in
Kampala.

As you may know, the RASJ is supporting all such kind of initiatives dedicated to create and
enhancing the capacity of Rwandan and African journalists to report on existing and emerging
Science and Technology challenges in our respective.

When Kampala is hosting the World Conference of Science Journalists, this should be another
occasion to showcase the regional as well as the whole Africa’s achievements in those areas to
the rest of the world. The RASJ is especially seeking to achieve its purposes through the
organization and participation in international, regional and local events

Through its whole member from different media organizations, RASJ is ready to publicizing the
event as well as providing any further assistance available to male this event successfully

Wishing you all success

Yours Faithfully

Aimable TWAHIRWA
President, Rwanda Association of Science Journalists (RASJ)
Member of WFSJ

RASJ P.o Box 1806 Kigali, Rwanda . Tel +250 078 8 44 88 58 Email. rasjournalist@gmail.com

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Direct line : 020 7292.9912
email : David.Dickson@SciDev.Net
news, views and information about science,
technology and development

April 21 2009

TO: World Federation of Science Journalists

Dear Colleagues:

I would like to express my support for the application that is being made by the
Uganda Science Journalists Association to host the next World Conference of Science
Journalists in Uganda in 2011. Given SciDev.Net's commitment to enhancing science
communication in the developing world, we would be delighted to see this event taking
place in Africa.

If the USJA is successful with its bid to host the meeting, then we would
welcome an active engagement with the organisers in making this a successful
conference (as we were able to do in Montréal in 2005 and Melbourne in 2007, and
plan to do in London in 2009).

However the USJA has also accepted that our support is non-exclusive, and
does not restrict us from offering similar support to other candidates making separate
bids to host the 2011 meeting.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries about this
endorsement.

Best wishes,

David Dickson
Director, SciDev.Net

97/99 Dean Street, London W1D 3TE

tel : 020 7292.9910 3699 email : info@SciDev.Net web : www.SciDev.Net
SciDev.Net is a UK company limited by guarantee, No. 4218234

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April 22, 2009

Mr. Joseph Peter Ngome,

Co-ordinator/Chairman
Health and Environmental Media Network (HEMNet)
Reinsurance Plaza, 4th Floor Wing ‘B’
Oginga Odinga Street
P. O. Box 1896-40100, Kisumu, Kenya

Chairperson,
Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA)
Plot 1600, Block 221, Naalya-Kamuli Road, P.O.Box 16569 Wandegeya
Tel: 0312 103710/0414 240298/0772 881727, Fax. 0414 240 297
www.scienceuganda.org
Email: scienceu@scienceuganda.org
Attn: Mr. William Odinga Balikuddembe

Dear Sir,

RE: SUPPORT FOR USJA BID FOR THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF

SCIENCE JOURNALISTS 2011

Your letter dated April 21, 2009 herein refers.

Health and Environmental Media Network (HEMNet) is a Kenyan

offshoot of Network of Environmental Journalists for Lake Victoria
(NEJLV), other sister organisations being Mwanza Press Club and
Environmental Journalists Association of Tanzania (JET) for Tanzania
and Environmental Journalists Association of Uganda (EJAU) for
Uganda. It is a caucus of professional journalists and communication
practitioners specializing in health and environmental reporting. It
engages in non-profit initiatives in liaison with individuals,
professionals, Government departments, international agencies and
organizations focusing on health, environmental and sanitation and
water issues. HEMNet in partnership with the aforementioned sister
organisations has had great contribution to East Africa’s progress in Science
and Technology.

Following your successful organization of the Uganda Conference for Science

Communication 2008 (UCSC-08), held on November 24-26, 2008, in
Kampala, where our organization was fully represented and participated. We
are hereby delighted to once more vouch for USJA bid to host World
Conference of Science Journalists 2011.

It’s our considered opinion that Uganda Science Journalists Association

(USJA) has the capacity and experience after hosting Uganda Conference for
Science Communication 2008 held in Kampala. HEMNet and all other science
Association in the region had opportunity to interact and share a lot of
experience with other Science Journalists outfits from various parts of the
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 World. This was an eye opener to many science communicators in the region
and it would be another God send opportunity if USJA is accorded this
chance to hold a conference of this magnitude.

HEMNet has in the past work closely with various organizations with scientific
background and immensely benefited and thus enabled it to contribute
positively in science communication. We believe that the World Conference
will give science Associations in the region and Africa at large share and
showcase Africa‘s achievements in science reporting.

It’s against this background that we support the USJA without any
reservations. HEMNet as an associate of USJA will be ready to undertake
some activities geared towards publicizing the World Conference through its
members spread in all media houses in Kenya.

Based on all these factors, we are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt
that USJA stands a better chance to host a successful conference in Africa.

Yours Sincerely,

Joseph Ngome

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 ugus

May 15, 2009

The Board
World Federation of Science Journalists
28, Caron Street
Gatineau (QC) Canada J8Y 1Y7

Dear Colleagues,

Re: Support of USJA to host the World Conference of Science Journalists 2011
We have been approached by Uganda Science Journalists Association (USJA), whose members are one of our key
partners (andon) is severe
allies) in awareness raising and advocacy over a wide range of sustainable development issues in Uganda.

Uganda Coalition for sustainable Development (UCSD) is a membership national NGO network in Uganda dedicated to
advocacy and lobby work around issues and commitments made by world governments towards sustainable development.
Among other links, UCSD is part of The East African SusWatch Network (comprising Uganda Coalition for Sustainable
Development, Tanzania Coalition for Sustainable Development and Kenya SusWatch Network c/o Kenya Organization
for Environment Education).

Through these networks, UCSD regularly links up with USJA members on contemporary issues related to agricultural
development, water resources management, environmental conservation, and Lake Victoria management among others.
Coupled with the success of the Uganda Conference for Science Communication held November 24-26, 2008, in Kampala
that was led by USJA, UCSD strongly believes that there is a strong leadership, commitment and will to ‘climb up the
ladder’ by hosting the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2011.

This will also be an opportunity for USJA to host this important event in Africa for the first time, which will enable its
members and others from Africa to share their daily experiences in science reporting as well as being an avenue to
promote further growth of science journalism.

If this bid is considered, UCSD pledges to provide publicity for this event through its wide network links in Uganda, East
Africa and Africa, and will facilitate representatives from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to participate in this event.

It is in this regard that we would like to express our support for USJA’s bid to host the World Conference of Science
Journalists in 2011

Yours faithfully,

Kimbowa Richard
Programme Manager
Website: www.ugandacoalition.or.ug

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