New kid on the screen

JOY DOREEN BIIRA, 26, was Uganda’s most popular news anchor, says Wikipedia. She’s got the looks, brains and personality. But what is most striking about this Ugandan beauty, now anchoring KTN prime, is her humility and quiet demure, writes MAUREEN AKINYI
Many Kenyans might not know this but you are a big name in the Uganda media industry. According to Wikipedia, you are one of Uganda’s most popular TV anchors. That aside, who is Joy Doreen Biira?
Good you said “that aside” ... I like to think Joy is a graceful, focused go-getter who’s down-to-earth and God-fearing. When at work I mean business and off work I keep it on the down low.
I love to have a good time with friends and family.
Tell us a little about your childhood.
I was born in September 1986 in Kasese, Uganda. I grew up just like any next-door kid; naughty, curious with way too many questions to ask, partly because I was exposed to vast material.
What did you study in college and where?
I did a Bachelor of Science Information Technology degree at Makerere University.
However, I applied for Mass Communication too, but was offered IT, which is just a ‘cousin’ to Mass Communication in a way.

You’ve had an illustrious career in the media industry in Uganda. Which are some of the stations you have worked for?
I worked have for NBS Television in Uganda as news anchor and current affairs show host for three and half years. I have also worked with 91.3 Capital FM the lead radio station in the country as a radio show host and producer for three and a half years.
However, at 16 — during my form four vacation — I thought I needed a pass-time occupation so a radio station in my countryside home town, Kasese, took me up as news caster where I read news twice a day.
I thought it was so much fun! Weird as it sounds, I was paid a dollar a day and mine was to pass time. My interests as a journalist are biased to current affairs, changing technologies and human interest features.
What is the experience so far at KTN?
Oh, it’s awesome... great opportunity to grow my career, fantastic work colleagues all the way and very professional too. I look forward to each day on the job.
Moving from NBS Uganda to KTN was a major career jump. What made you take the risk?
While at NBS, I turned down some offers not because I wasn’t interested but because I was juggling between TV on weekdays, radio on weekends and school. Considering I got both jobs while at university, I had to complete my degree course and put it out of the way. It was quite hard to move station. So the KTN offer came at a time when I wanted to grow my career for the better. Long story short I’m here now.