The East African Diaspora Media Watch (EADM)

By EADM Correspondent

In Summary: The faith was unwavering. The optimism about the future infectious. The mood was upbeat and the interactions among the gregarious group of EADM volunteers remarkably bullish. A rational exuberance of unfazed hope that filled the air was as intangible as it was palpable. This was during a modest celebration marking the first anniversary of the East African Diaspora Media Watch (EADM) recently. The reflections over the EADM’s one year of existence echoed the exciting challenges the few volunteers courageously confronted; overcame some and are grappling with others. The EADM is confidently marching into the future with unbridled optimism. Negotiating challenges that come with the nature of the trade will continue to test the resilience of the EADM editorial staff to execute its declared mission and realize its vision.

Hurst, Texas—The East African Diaspora Media Watch (EADM) recently marked its first anniversary since its founding in 2016. The anniversary celebration was a belated event because of the conflicting schedules of the volunteers and some of the invited guests, Dr. Samuel Muwanguzi, founder and editor of the EADM told the guests at the event. “Better late than never,” Dr. Muwanguzi observed. The historic event, held at the EADM base in Hurst, Texas, was graced by some of the most devoted EADM volunteers, faithful supporters, passionate readers, contributors, and well-wishers. “This has been a modest event but rich in its historic symbolism,” remarked Rev. Joseph Kamugisha, one of the EADM pioneers and devoted volunteers.

The EADM is an online news network established to highlight activities of the diverse Diaspora communities originating from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and lately, South Sudan.  In the process, critical events taking place in the countries where the respective Diaspora communities reside are extensively covered just as those that happen in the six EAC member states, the EADM editor Dr. Samuel Muwanguzi said.  “Our ongoing challenge is to provide an equal platform to activities taking place within the Burundian and South Sudanese communities,” Dr. Muwanguzi said with a discernible sense of frustration. However, in its day-to-day coverages, the EADM frequently illuminates events impacting Diaspora communities from other African countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, and others.

Those present to celebrate an eventful year that was rich on opportunities and exciting challenges included, among others, the founder and editor, Samuel Muwanguzi and Ronnie Byaruhanga and Michael   Muwanguzi, the youthful and savvy content updaters. Others were Rev. Joseph Kamugisha, the most obliging volunteer photographer, writer, and marketing manager; Rev. John Kalimi, the fervent spiritual leader and contributor; Jullian Kyoshabire, the affable and an all-round volunteer; Rita Naiga Woods, a passionate reader and supporter; Dorothy Muwanguzi, an invisible moral force that keeps the platform going; Raymond Byaruhanga, a most perceptive and selfless volunteer, and others.

A sumptuous African dinner washed down by a variety of soft drinks was served to the guests comprising largely of unapologetic teetotalers. All the volunteers joined hands to cut a cake iced with the EADM colors and brightly lit with 12 candles representing the 12 issues the publication produced during the last twelve months. Each month comprised of sets of stories published every 2 weeks. During this first anniversary celebration, evidently, the faith was unwavering. The optimism about the future infectious. The mood was upbeat and the interactions among the gregarious group of EADM volunteers remarkably bullish. A rational exuberance of unfazed hope that filled the air was as intangible as it was palpable.  Reflections over the EADM’s one year of existence echoed the exciting challenges the pioneers courageously confronted; overcame some and are grappling with others. The EADM is confidently marching into the future with unbridled optimism. Negotiating challenges that come with the nature of the trade will continue to test the resilience of the EADM editorial staff to execute its declared mission and realize its vision.

Handing over certificates of appreciation to the EADM pioneers, volunteers, supporters, readers, and other well-wishers was the climax of this historical event. Recipients of certificates of appreciation included all the pioneer volunteers who ensured that the online news network got off its feet and flourished.  Aditionally, strong supporters of the EADM including Owek. Abu Senkayi, Ph.D., the Kabaka’s representative in the States of Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; Daniel Yanez; Christine Nalubega; Charles Mutambuze; Grace Nakigudde; Mayanja Mulinde; Fred Kamanya of Creative Impressions; John Semogerere of JD Media; and Tyson McMillan, Ph.D., received certificates of appreciation in abscentia. Others who received certificates of appreciation included the East African Chamber of Commerce (EACC); the Kenya Diaspora Organization which brings together all Kenyans resident in the DFW area; the UAA-DFW, a community organization for Ugandans living in the area; Rwanda-American Community (RAC); and the Tanzania Community.

Earlier, the founder and editor of the EADM, Dr. Samuel Muwanguzi told the guests that it was a grueling year full of lessons to learn, mistakes to correct,  improvements to make, and light moments to relish forever. “We want to express our gratitude to all those individuals and entities who lent their support, as volunteers, experts, contributors, and sponsors to design, construct, develop content, launch, and sustain the Web-based news network possible,” Dr. Muwanguzi said.  More importantly, “we want to acknowledge individuals in the East African Diaspora community across the globe that consistently urged us, pushed us, and finally inspired us to operationalize the idea of starting an online East African Diaspora news Porto.” “The hours you spent brainstorming on this idea were indeed not in vain,” he assured.

He also said that while the EADM pursues an independent editorial policy, it depends on the community in an interdependent relationship for support and inspiration. “The diverse communities have become part of the evolving new normal, citizen journalists who are contributing tips, stories, photos, and videos that highlight issues that impact them from the comfort of their local communities,” Dr. Muwanguzi observed.

The opportunities and exciting challenges that came with the launch of the EADM online news platform were not lost on the pioneer volunteer either.  Rev. Joseph Kamugisha observed: “In our endeavor to fill the communication gap that existed among the East African Diaspora communities, we have diligently upheld our mission of providing a credible source of information and a forum that continues to inspire the communities to interact, network, and celebrate our common and diverse cultural heritage.”  He commended the guidance of the EADM editor who has ensured a high degree of professionalism in our pursuit of an independent, nonpartisan, and unbiased editorial policy to promote the unity of the diverse cultural communities in East Africa.  “I am proud to be associated with the EADM because we have added our voices to initiatives promoting social and gender equity, democratic ideals, respect for human rights, and those supporting a harmonious integration and federation of a people-oriented East African community,” Rev. Kamugisha said.

On his part, Rev. John Kalimi said the EADM is helping to build and grow a dynamic East African Diaspora community that is collectively promoting and establishing   transactional relationships that are bridging artificial barriers that have historically divided the communities. “I was extremely encouraged and impressed by the warm welcome the EADM team received when it arrived to cover the events commemorating the 1994 Rwanda genocide that were held in Hurst, Texas  last year,” the plain speaking Rev. Kalimi of St. Vincent Cathedral in Bedford recalled. He said the EADM is helping to foster mutual and friendly co-existence among the East African fraternity in the Diaspora that has been lacking for a long time. “As a Minister of the gospel, a Ugandan, and a stakeholder in this interactive initiative, nothing could do me more proud than participating in and witnessing the evolving brotherly relationships among East Africans in the Diaspora as championed by the EADM,” Rev. Kalimi said.

“The EADM has provided readers with news reports with the depth and breadth they so much deserve,” the genial Ms. Jullian Kyoshabire observed while moving a vote of thanks to all the EADM volunteers at the event. She said the context and background the EADM renders to its reporting and writing has earned the online platform friends and supporters across the globe. “The writing style adopted by the news network makes the stories interesting and irresistible to read, their length notwithstanding,” she observed. She said the stories are also a reference material for those seeking information to enhance their knowledge. “This is an endeavor to which I pledge my continuous support in every way possible,” she declared to loud applause.

Ronnie Byaruhanga, one of the innovative content updaters said: “We are encouraged by the continuous support extended to the EADM by the respective Diaspora communities from East African countries living and working in various parts of the interconnected world.” He said the stories that have been published by the EADM have celebrated the diverse cultures of the entire East African Diaspora communities, empathized with them, mourned with them, and  shared both in their glorious moments of success and sad moments of grief as members of one family; East Africans in the Diaspora. “It is even more encouraging that some of the stories we have published have been picked and used by several media houses in the different East African countries,” Ronnie Byaruhanga said.

The EADM Web Consultant Tyson McMillan, Ph.D., who was away on a business trip, sent the warmest salutations to the revelers at the EADM first anniversary bash. Other messages of congratulations came from Tina Nalubega, Charles Mutambuze, and Grace Nakigudde all living in far flung states. They all sent words of encouragement to the EADM. “They have been our strongest financial supporters and erstwhile contributors from the time the idea was conceived to the present,” the EADM editor disclosed. Some of the wonderful supporters of the publication include Andrew Mulinde of Dallas, an avid reader of the online news; Radio Uganda Boston, a professional ally of the EADM and Michael Kaluya, Ph.D. of RMJ Solutions, the registered agent of Horizon infocom innovations LLC, the publishers of the EADM.   All blessed the event with tonnes of prayers.

The Dallas-based East African Chamber of Commerce (EACC), with whom the EADM enjoys a strong mutual relationship, expressed gratitude to the editorial of the online news network for comprehensively covering and publicizing their events and keeping their members informed about the trade and investment opportunities available in the USA and in the East African region. Through the EACC Chairwoman Elsa Juko McDowell, the organizations commended the close working relationship that has developed between the two entities. While receiving a certificate of appreciation from the EADM editor at a recent chamber event in Irving, Texas, Elsa Juko stated: “The mutually beneficial partnership we have formed with the EADM has greatly facilitated our Diaspora membership to access, use, and optimize trade and investment-related information to grow and develop their respective businesses and professions.” Together with one of the chamber founder members and Treasurer Benson Kioko Kasue, the two officials pledged to continue supporting efforts of the EADM in ensuring that East Africans living in the Diaspora fully exploit the boundless trade and investment opportunities that exist in the ICT-driven global economy.

The President of the Uganda community in Dallas-Fort Worth area (UAA-DFW), Mr. Lambert Etibot, who was absent at the event had earlier told the EADM editor  that the holistic communication approach to news that the online network adopted is not only informative, educative, entertaining, but also a potential catalyst for social change. “The EADM online news platform has mastered and sustained a unique style and approach to news that adds value to human endeavors in the fast-paced world we live in,” Mr. Etibot told the EADM at a recent community event. “When you project the diverse Ugandan Diaspora collectively participating in activities that reflect our unity and cohesion while supporting a development project in Uganda, you send a positive message back to our motherland that encourages our kith and kin to do the same,” the soft spoken President of the Ugandan community here said.

Mr. Sam Mbanda, president of the Rwanda American Community (RAC) of the Dallas-Fort Worth area  expressed gratitude to the EADM for launching a communication platform that is contributing toward harmonious relationships among the diverse East African Diaspora communities. “The channel that the EADM has established is providing pivotal and holistic interactions among East Africans in the Diaspora and facilitating rational and informed decisions that are contributing toward the betterment of our respective lives, the Diaspora communities as they interact with their host communities, and the people in the East African region.”

 

Mr. Sam Mbanda, together with MS Immaculate Busingye, a member of the national board of the Rwandan community in the United States received the certificate of appreciation on behalf of their community in Dallas, Texas. The certificate was handed to the duo by the EADM editor, Samuel Muwanguzi during a New Year kick-off event organized by the East African Chamber of Commerce (EACC) in Irving, Texas recently.

Mr. Alex Karundu, president of the Kenya Diaspora Organization in the DFW area and Benson Kioko Kasue, a founding board member of the organization were also at hand to receive the certificate of appreciation from the EADM editor, Samuel Muwanguzi at the EACC 2017 inaugural event.   “We are extremely grateful and honored to be associated with this inclusive publication that has transcended national boarders in pursuit of a mission to realize a united Diaspora community from the EAC member countries,” Alex Karundu remarked while receiving the certificate. He commended the EADM editorial staff for the relentless efforts of reaching out and bridging the gaps that divide the EAC Diaspora and other African communities.  “Keep up the great job of providing such a platform that highlights our opportunities, aspirations, and challenges in an incisive and professional manner,” he added.

Mr. Benson Kioko Kasue, also a founding board member of the Kenya Diaspora Organization was equally bullish. “We can now confidently look to the future with hope because the Diaspora community from East Africa is becoming more cohesive in cherishing common values that strengthen us as reflected through the EADM online platform,” he remarked.

Mr. Ben Kazora, the chair of the Tanzania community in the DFW area, who was unable to attend the anniversary, told the EADM editor on phone that the professionalism exhibited by the EADM has elevated the news platform to stand out as an informative and educative site of choice. “The service you are rendering to East Africans in the Diaspora; global citizens, inspires and sustains our African Heartbeats to collectively take advantage of the seamless opportunities in the global economy and transfer and share resources and skills we acquire to help our native East African region to also benefit from the fruits of the burgeoning information society,” the ever perceptive Ben Kazora observed.