The Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) has announced the election of new board leadership, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s transition toward a strengthened governance and institutional framework.
At its inaugural board meeting held yesterday in Gulu City, Mr. Chowoo Willy was elected as the Chairperson of the Board, while Ms. Felista Auma was elected as the Vice Chairperson. Mr. Chowoo is a media entrepreneur bringing extensive experience in radio, data journalism, investigative reporting, and mobile/digital journalism.
His leadership is expected to guide NUMEC through a period of transformation as it adapts to a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Ms. Auma, a public relations practitioner, brings strong expertise in gender, corporate governance, and institutional development, positioning the NUMEC board to strengthen its oversight, accountability, and organisational systems.
Other board leadership appointments include:
- Justine Muboka – Chairperson, Programs Committee
- Jimmy Komakech – Chairperson, Finance Committee
- Innocent Aloyo – Deputy Chairperson, Finance Committee
The new board members took part in an intensive corporate governance training to enable them to have a firmer grasp of their oversight responsibilities. The training covered board roles, including decision-making, finance, handling ethical dilemmas, and assessing performance, among others.
Speaking after his election, Mr. Chowoo, the Board Chairperson, emphasised the importance of strong governance in the organisation’s next phase.
“Our focus will be on delivering measurable impact while ensuring that NUMEC remains relevant and responsive to the emerging needs in a rapidly changing media environment. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability in all our decisions,” Mr. Chowoo said.
Mrs. Auma added: “As board members, our priority will be to work together to develop NUMEC by championing a gender-inclusive culture in the media and also cultivating partnerships to drive institutional excellence.”
Appointment of Acting Executive Director
In the same meeting, the Board appointed Mr. Alfred Oryem as Acting Executive Director for a period of six months.
This appointment marks a historic moment, as NUMEC transitions from a club-led structure to a more formal NGO governance model with a dedicated Executive Director, the first in the organisation’s history.
Mr. Oryem previously served as Project Coordinator at NUMEC and brings in institutional knowledge and experience that will ensure continuity during this transition.
“It is a huge honour to serve an organisation with such a rich history as NUMEC,” said Mr. Oryem.
“At a time when journalism faces digital disruption, shrinking civic space, and economic challenges, our goal is to position NUMEC as a key player in shaping a resilient and forward-looking media sector.”
The election of a new Board and appointment of an Acting Executive Director signals a new phase of institutional growth and renewal for NUMEC, grounded in strong governance, strategic leadership, and programmatic innovation.
The organisation remains committed to promoting press freedom and media development; strengthening public-interest journalism; amplifying community voices in Northern Uganda; and supporting a vibrant and accountable media ecosystem.
About NUMEC
The Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) is an independent, non-partisan media development organisation founded by journalists and media professionals in Gulu. It works to strengthen journalism, promote access to information, and support peace, recovery, and development in Northern Uganda.
