East African Press Council elects new leaders to drive regional media freedom agenda
Omwoyo becomes the second Chairperson of the EAPC, succeeding Kajubi Mukajanga, the founding chair and former executive director of the Media Council of Tanzania.
David Omwoyo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, Ernest Sungura, Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT), and Peter Okello Jabweli of the Media Council of Uganda have been elected as the new officials of the East African Press Council (EAPC).
Omwoyo will serve as chairperson, Sungura as vice-chairperson, and Jabweli as secretary. The trio will spearhead efforts to champion press freedom across the region.
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Their election was announced during a strategic meeting of media regulators from the East African Community (EAC), held on the sidelines of the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit in Arusha.
Over their two-year term, they will steer the EAPC towards achieving the goals outlined in its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. These include promoting a free, accountable, and professional media environment; strengthening independent journalism; embracing innovation in response to a shifting media landscape; ensuring the financial sustainability of media institutions; and advancing high-quality, inclusive, and collaborative journalism.
The plan also aims to bolster the EAPC’s long-term institutional capacity and regional impact.
"The new leadership is expected to, among other things, advocate for harmonised accreditation for EAC member states through the development of a regional media protocol and to undertake a state-of-the-media survey for the region," a statement from the council said.
Omwoyo becomes the second Chairperson of the EAPC, succeeding Kajubi Mukajanga, the founding chair and former executive director of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). Omwoyo previously served as the EAPC secretary.
Established in 2023, the EAPC brings together media councils from East African Community (EAC) Partner States, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.
Although each country faces unique challenges to media freedom, many are experiencing an increase in police harassment of journalists in the field, along with growing legal threats.
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