Staff

Gaaba Lakel Maria – Programme Officer

Gaaba Lakel Maria is the Programme Officer at the Uganda Editors’ Guild, bringing over five years of experience in human rights advocacy, strategic communications, and fundraising. She has worked extensively with mission-driven organizations to develop clear, purposeful messaging that influences policy, mobilizes support, and advances press freedom, access to information, and gender equality. Her work is grounded in a strong belief that communication is a powerful tool for driving social change and strengthening democratic values.

Prior to joining UEG, Gaaba coordinated multi-country advocacy and communications initiatives across Africa that contributed to legal and policy reforms in access to information and inclusive governance. Her experience includes leading regional and global engagements on media freedom and journalists’ safety, coordinating high-level international dialogues, and supporting research that informs advocacy and policy responses. At UEG, she supports program design, advocacy coordination, and strategic communication efforts aimed at strengthening media independence, protecting journalists, and advancing public-interest journalism.