Kajubi bows out at MCT

TANZANIA: AFTER 15 years of service, the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) Kajubi Mukajanga has decided to call it quits.

The seasoned journalist announced his decision here in Arusha recently, during the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

The Media guru is set to be replaced by Ernest Sungura, former head of the Uhuru Media Group (UMG) and the Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF).

During his helm at the country’s media council, Mr Mukajanga is credited for shaping and steering Tanzania’s Media landscape also being the brains behind Excellence in Journalism Awards Tanzania (EJAT), since their inception in 2009.

“We are so proud for playing a role in establishing robust Tanzania Editors Forum and enhancing the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs,” he said.

The outgoing MCT Executive Secretary was quick to reflect on his 15 years at the council, describing them as ‘difficult period,’ despite the milestones registered in the country’s media landscape.

Mr Mukajanga was no stranger in the courts, representing the Media fraternity in fending off draconian laws that otherwise suppressed Press Freedom in the country.

For over two decades he has been in the leadership of journalists’ organisations, having been at the helm of the Media Institute of Southern Africa – Tanzania Chapter (MISA-Tan), the Association of Journalists and Media Workers (AJM) and MCT.

He is the immediate past president of the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC).

In 2006/7 he authored, together with two international consultants, the project document for the Tanzania Media Fund (now Foundation), and successfully launched the Fund.

He has written or contributed to 14 books, including journalism training manuals, biographies, poetry anthologies and novels.

Mr Mukajanga is an ardent advocate of freedom of expression and press freedom.