By Freda Ajok
Canary Mugume, a familiar face on NBS TV, has mastered the delicate balance of delivering hard-hitting news while keeping the human element alive. For Mugume, journalism is not just about reporting facts—it’s about creating a story that readers and viewers can feel, see, and almost touch.
“When I write for Nile Post, I think about the person reading,” he explains. “I describe stories in a way that creates visuals in the reader’s mind. They should almost be able to smell the story.” This approach, he says, is what differentiates writing from reporting live on TV, where pace, tone, and timing dominate.
Mugume’s secret to keeping readers hooked till the last paragraph is deceptively simple: emotion and suspense. “It’s like writing a book,” he says. “I once wrote about a budget meeting—people banging tables, tempers flaring. It wasn’t on public record, but it became one of my favourite pieces.”
Despite the allure of Nile Post exclusives, Mugume admits some stories inevitably belong to television. “Many times I start writing something and realise, this could be a TV exclusive. But exclusive TV reports require detailed footage, and that’s a different challenge altogether.”
On Air Pressure
For a journalist like Mugume, the seconds before going live are filled with self-questioning. “Oh my God, who’s watching? Can I hook the viewer till the last minute?” he admits. This mental sprint, he says, explains his fast-paced delivery on air and the occasional mid-interview question change. Even a guest’s oddball question—like asking when he last used a first aid kit—requires careful navigation to maintain focus without compromising professionalism.
Yet, behind the professional facade, Mugume acknowledges that journalism has subtly reshaped his personality. “Over time, my professional self has eaten into my personality. Friends tell me to relax and stop talking as if I’m anchoring. It’s unavoidable.”
Moments That Stick
LIve reporting, he says, is where journalism feels most like home. Mugume recalls a harrowing assignment during a Kawempe by-election where he nearly faced physical assault from a soldier. “My heart was pumping like it was about to jump out, and minutes later I had to go live. I’d never been so angry on camera.” But it’s also the unpredictability that sharpens his focus. He prepares by asking one simple question: if he were in the audience’s shoes, what would he want to know?
Even on seemingly routine events, behind-the-scenes moments reveal the lighter side of reporting. “I brief my cameraman on how I want things done, but sometimes what I imagine is impossible. We argue, but it’s fun. I can see the story in my head, but I’m not the one holding the camera.”
Exclusives and Impact
The thrill of landing an exclusive, Mugume says, is unmatched. “You get that smile on your face—you know this is going to be a banger. It’s like hitting a great song.” One investigation, however, left a lasting mark: exposing a gang of conmen in downtown Kampala, famously known as Tata Sulah. The investigation led to arrests, and for those previously cheated, the story meant the world. “That showed me the real power of journalism—how a story can change lives,” he reflects.
A Personal Touch
When asked about a journalism superpower, Mugume doesn’t hesitate: listening. “It’s the most powerful tool for journalism. Listen more than you speak.” Among writing, reading, and reporting, the latter remains his anchor. “You can’t read or write what you haven’t reported. I love being in the middle of chaos and delivering it calmly.”
Off-duty, Mugume’s source of solace is simple: children. “Being around them reminds me there’s life beyond the news,” he says with a smile.
For Canary Mugume, journalism is more than a career—it’s a craft of translating chaos into clarity, capturing stories that resonate, and reminding audiences that every news item has a human heartbeat.
