My name is Sharon Lamwaka. I work as the Communications and Advocacy Officer with African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV). ACTV is a non-governmental organisation started by a group of Ugandan professionals in 1993 based in Uganda with guidance from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). ACTV is accrediated to the IRCT and to the Ugandan Ministry of Health to run a fullu fledged medical clinic where victims of torture are treated from. ACTV offers medical treatment to torture victims from: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Ethiopia.

ACTV's two main areas of work are: Medical Treatment to victims of torture and preventive activities that are aimed at stopping torture occurences. AS ACTV's Communications and Advocacy Officer, I joined the organisation in September 2004 to date. My responsibilities include: communicating to ACTV's external publics about the organisation's Vision and Mission; in charge of ACTV's training activities; liaising with the media about ACTV's work.

Sharon Lamwaka is a trained journalist with experience working both nationally and internationally (PANOS Features London). Her specialty is print media although currently very involved in radio work. Sharon joined the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) in September 2004 as the Communications and Advocacy Officer. As a result of her good leadership and work capabilities, ACTV promoted her to the senior position of Programmes Manager. Sharon set up the first Communications and Advocacy Office at ACTV. In an evaluation of ACTV’s advocacy for the period 2005-2007, it was noted that: 1) the profile of the organisation has grown immensely, torture was reported nationally to be on the decrease in 2007 and this reduction was attributed to ACTV’s awareness and sensitisation programmes for the Ugandan security forces; 2) the public and policy makers hear and understand ACTV’s media messages; and 3) the organisation’s relationship with key institutions such as the Uganda Police and Uganda Prisons Service is very amicable.

Recently, Sharon has been invited by a media house in Kenya to write articles on the banking sector in Uganda including articles that touch on the lives of women, giving voice for many Ugandan women.