Halima Athumani

Halima Athumani is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Uganda, with a rich background in radio, television, and multimedia reporting. With over 13 years of experience in the field, she has made significant contributions to various international media outlets, including Voice of America's Africa desk for both radio and television, US-based National Public Radio, and as the podcast host of an ongoing war crimes trial in Sweden. Athumani's work has been featured on platforms such as SciDev.Net and she has also produced content for Public Radio International-America Abroad Media, BBC, and podcasts for the University of Cambridge.

Before her international engagements, Athumani honed her skills in local Ugandan media, working with 93.3 KFM from 2006 to 2009 and the Uganda Radio Network-News Agency from 2010 to 2014. Her foray into television journalism began in 2016 with an investigative piece titled "Uganda's Health Pyramids," which aired on Al Jazeera's People and Power, supported by Banyak Films-UK. This marked the start of her impactful storytelling through visual media, which has since included special assignments and documentaries.

Beyond her reporting, Athumani has played a crucial role as a fixer, collaborating with renowned photographers and filmmakers from National Geographic, BBC, and other international production crews from Japan and Germany. Her local production work includes "The Messenger" (2021) and a BBC documentary series on farming in Uganda (2018-2019). Athumani's journalism provides a window into the social, political, and cultural landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Uganda and Kenya. Her reporting delves into topics such as education, the illegal ivory trade, women's writing groups, and innovative health initiatives, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges and transformations within East African communities.