Tag Archives: Media and Communication

Misfortune turned into blessing for UCU’s best male student

November 29, 2024Journalism, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication#News, #students, Christianity, Media and Communication, UCU Alumni, UCU School of JournalismPatty Huston-Holm

Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu presents the Best Male Student award to Dismas Nuwaine.

By Kefa Senoga
As a student at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Dismas Nuwaine often ushered people to their seats at the Sunday services at the university’s Nkoyoyo Hall, as well as during the community worship sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Nuwaine’s ushering service in the chaplaincy ended as he completed his undergraduate studies at the university. At the 25th UCU graduation held at the main campus in Mukono on October 25, Nuwaine was recognized as the best male student among the graduates. Nuwaine, with a GPA of 4.79 of 5.0, received a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication.

Eight years ago, this honor and his church service would seem a surprise as Nuwaine wasn’t religious and didn’t toe the line. In fact, during his early secondary school life, he was expelled from his school, St. Joseph’s Vocational School in Mbarara, western Uganda. His crime? He masterminded a school strike.

During the October 24 commissioning service, Dismas Nuwaine and his family receive Nuwaine’s Best Male Student award from, in center, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.

Before 2018, Nuwaine says he was nothing close to the person people came to know at UCU. He describes himself as having been unruly and far from Christian values. Nuwaine believes that his turning point was his expulsion from St. Joseph’s Vocational School.

His new school, Makerere High School Migadde in central Uganda, he says, played a significant role in his transformation.

“The school was premised on the foundations of evangelism and Pentecostalism,” he said. “While there, I accepted Christ as my saviour and something about me changed: My old habits died, and I took up very new appropriate habits.”

Nuwaine was able to complete both his O’level and A’level at Makerere High School Migadde after which he joined UCU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication.

From the moment he set foot at UCU, Nuwaine says that he committed himself to prioritizing and managing his time effectively.

“I needed to make the best out of the colossal sums of money that my father was paying for me to acquire an education,” says Nuwaine, the youngest child of Katukore Blazio and Katukore Goretti, of Sheema in western Uganda.

His typical day on campus would start as early as 7 a.m. and often stretch until nearly midnight. Since he was involved in numerous activities beyond academics, his days included various church-related responsibilities, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the community worship and on Sundays during the church service.

Most evenings, Nuwaine says, he would go for a jog or play soccer, followed by a visit to the library for extra reading. Amidst all the busy schedule, for a person aspiring to be a journalist, Nuwaine always endeavoured to watch prime news on Ugandan TV at 9 p.m.

He also was a student leader. He represented the School of Journalism, Media and Communication in the university’s parliament and also was the university’s deputy student leader in charge of information. While in his second year, Nuwaine also joined the UCU Honors College for a two-year leadership training program. The Honours College is a constituent program and a leadership development initiative of UCU.

He says that balancing the responsibilities that came with the leadership required him to master effective time management skills to stay on top of all his commitments.

However, by year three, some of the responsibilities, Nuwaine says, were taking a toll on him. He thus had to scale down on some commitments to focus more on academics.

In his last year at the university, he got a rare opportunity to represent the institution as part of a team of four students that participated in Uganda’s national university quiz that was aired on TV from November to December 2023. The team emerged second in the competition. Each of the four students and their coach was rewarded with a cash prize of sh500,000 (about $140) and a laptop, while the university was awarded equipment worth sh15million (about $4,000). According to Nuwaine, much of the knowledge he gained from the quiz competition helped to enrich the answers he gave during exams.

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School of Journalism set to relocate to new building

August 30, 2024Faculty, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication#News, #students, Media and Communication, School of Journalism, UCU AlumniPatty Huston-Holm

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (second from right) is with other UCU administrators and staff receiving completed projects, during a handover ceremony, on August 26 at the Main Campus in Mukono.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
For 13 years, the Words of Hope building at Uganda Christian University (UCU) has housed offices of journalism and communication studies on the Mukono campus.

From that yellow, storied building, faculty members experienced a bird’s-eye view of the university and surrounding hills. A disadvantage is that as what was once a department under the School of Education grew, staff members were scattered.

By the end of 2024, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC) at UCU is set to relocate to a new building designed to house all JMC staff and be more centrally located to administrative and other faculty/school offices. The new building, which previously housed School of Business offices, is located near the UCU Communications Office.

The new UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication Building

John Semakula, the Head of the Undergraduate Department within the School of JMC, said the JMC move is part of a university-wide space rationalization exercise that began two years ago.

“The new block will be referred to as the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Office Block,” Semakula said. “We had a shortage of office space, and as a result, we have been using different office blocks on campus, which kept us scattered. The new block is an opportunity to bring all the staff of the School under one roof.”

Prof. Monica Chibita, Dean of the School of JMC, cited other advantages.

“It is centrally located, surrounded by other faculties and schools, as well as some strategic administration offices, promoting interdisciplinary partnerships,” she said. “It also enables us (the faculty) to share office space, which eases collaboration. Many of our students have complained about the distance from the classrooms to the faculty, and we have struggled with limited office space and storage.”

Prof. Chibita noted that as the school shifts to the new location, the studios and equipment will remain at the current location, transforming it into a multimedia center, with The Standard newspaper, the UCU Focus TV, and other facilities relocating to the Words of Hope building.

The current UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication Building

Among those who have noticed the positive growth of the School of JMC is Frank Obonyo, an alumnus and a lecturer at the school. He recalled that a journalism department was started by former journalists – Mr. Illakut Ben Bella for print media, the late Okoku Obomba for radio, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Jackson Turyagyenda for television. The department was later joined by other seasoned professionals, including Ben Ochan for photojournalism and Jane Gitau, a Public Relations practitioner.

Over the years, the physical identity of the school has been associated with the Hope building, with Tech Park and with The Standard news office located between the PR office and the Vice Chancellor’s office. Obonyo recalled some early collaboration between the Mass Communication department and Spirit FM radio. He remembered being a student when there was no media laboratory with five still-photo cameras shared by over 90 classmates.

Today, the curriculum training is supported by highly qualified staff and practitioners in the industry and more equipment in a multimedia laboratory and three studios.

Obonyo, who joined UCU as a student in 2003, was among the first interns at The Standard student newspaper. In March 2007, an advertisement called upon Mass Communication graduates to apply for intern jobs at The Standard. The applicants went through the normal university recruitment process and four of the graduates were selected: Frank Obonyo, John Semakula, Brian Semujju and Emma Wafula.

Obonyo says this was a great opportunity for them to sharpen their journalism skills.

“As a result, we all got employed by the New Vision newspaper, Uganda’s leading daily English language newspaper,” he said. “ At The Standard, I was responsible for Sports news, Semakula was in charge of news and current affairs, Emma Wafula did Campus Life and Semujju was the Managing Editor.”

As the school prepares to relocate to a new building, Obonyo reflects on the journey.

“Today, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication is among the top media and communication training hubs in the country,” he said. “We have come a long way, and I am proud to have been part of this journey.”

For Geoffrey Ssenoga, a lecturer at the school since 2008, the move will bring numerous benefits to both staff and students. He notes that it will be easier for students to access them since it is closer to the classrooms, compared to the current building.

“We have course units taught by people from other faculties like the Social Sciences and Education, so being close to other faculty members will allow for easier collaboration,” Ssenoga said.

As Ssenoga looks forward to the relocation, he reflects on his earlier days as a lecturer, when resources were limited.

“I had to draw a camera on the blackboard to teach students how to operate a camera because we only had five cameras,” he notes, “But now, students have the privilege to access the camera whenever they need it to practice.”

Timothy Okurut, a student leader representing Mass Communication, said: “In the past, there have been times we failed to access the studio for production purposes because the lecturers were in a meeting,” Okurut said. “With the new building for the staff, we shall have unrestricted access to the studios.”

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UCU students share experiences during internships

July 11, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Social Sciences#News, #students, Design and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Media and Communication, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Journalism, UCU School of Social SciencesPatty Huston-Holm

By Pauline Luba
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) handbook states three reasons that students are required to have internships: 1) practicing in real-world settings; 2) learning to set realistic objectives and meaningful processes for both supervision and reflection on the experience; and 3) for practicals to be measured in credits.

For the internship to be successful, students are required to complete certain tasks, as determined by programs within the universities 11 faculties and schools. At UCU, the internship requirements vary from faculty to faculty. For instance, in some, an intern is expected to spend eight weeks at a registered company, firm, or nonprofit that aligns with the student’s field of study.

The hours and the workload for students are not determined by the university but by their internship center. The supervisor and team dictate what the students’ tasks will be. The timing of the internships at UCU also varies. For example, some diploma programs require students to complete their mandatory internship after their first year, whereas degree programs may require students to complete their mandatory internships either after the second semester of their second year or after the first semester of their third year.

At the end of the internship, the supervisor is required to fill out an internship evaluation form, rating the intern. The intern is also required to produce an internship report and submit evidence of their work, such as daily diaries, pictures and other relevant documentation. Since marks are awarded for this, one cannot graduate without completing an internship and fulfilling the requirements.

Some of the students who undertook internships in the recent past shared their positive and negative experiences as follows:

Alikobakwoyo Leah Kabi shares her struggles.

Leah Alikobakwoyo Kabi, Bachelor of Arts in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication
I started applying for internships in December last year, shortly after exams. I applied to over 65 organizations and media houses but got no positive response. Eventually, someone connected me to an agency where I got a placement, but I resigned three weeks into my internship. I spent sh30,000 ($8 American) daily on transport to a place where I watched Netflix, ate food, and occasionally slept during working hours. I was supposed to be there from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Being a proactive person, I couldn’t stand a life of dormancy.

An organization reached out to give me an opportunity, but they kept me waiting for another three weeks. I regretted resigning from the first agency, but couldn’t go back. Eventually, I got a placement at a communication agency called Kalaz Media near Kampala. This opportunity was the best I could ever ask for. I learned a lot, and gained invaluable skills.

Aryatunga Eugene (left) enjoyed road construction.

Aryatunga Eugene, Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
I was an intern at a construction company. They really showed effort in trying to teach me because they all knew I was there to learn. They were friendly people. Many of them are below 30 years of age, so we could easily connect. Of course, we are not paid as interns because we were volunteers. Part of the work involved doing tests on the roads, and making sure that whatever we did was up to standard.

Mulezimuto Job, Bachelor of Governance and International Relations

Mulezimuto Job would love to return to his place of internship.

I had my internship at the Parliament of Uganda from January 31 to April 26. I was in the Department of Communications and Public Affairs as a protocol officer-intern. This internship was life-changing and full of many life lessons. Concerning my field of study, I found it quite relevant because I was looking at how the legislative arm of government works and how the business of legislation is conducted. On the protocol side, I learned how things are organized, how to receive guests, and how to organize events. It taught me a lot about administration, communication, events organization, and more.

Work was hands-on. For example, we welcomed parliamentary guests, visited schools, and provided them with tours or virtual tours of the institution, giving them an educational experience and interaction. This internship sparked ambitions in me, making me realize I could pursue more than just a career as a diplomat, governance expert, or political analyst. It made me consider becoming an active politician in the national politics of Uganda.

Ausi Rama, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistic Management
I had my internship at Ntinda Vocational Institute, located in Ntinda, near Kampala. My supervisor was a mentor to me, guiding me through the entire work process. I learned about procurement laws, the evaluation process, how to handle certain documents, and how to engage with suppliers. I also learned how to manage Excel sheets, take minutes for meetings, and conduct presentations during sessions, as well as pitch ideas.

Karuhanga Edward learned more about logistics.

Karuhanga Edward, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistic Management
I am Karuhanga Edward. I had my internship at the Office of the Auditor General, in the procurement department, where I was exposed to many aspects of procurement-related work. I handled many files, and learned the whole procurement process, from bid opening to contract management and evaluation. I also learned several skills related to working with people and being a team player.

(NOTE – Two videos, produced by Chris Mutch, supplement this story. One this is a student perspective is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T_vpEsNG_Q&t=55s. Another from an administrative and employer perspective is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eok5Y8mIfe8. Both address the issue of sexual harassment.)

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Maractho: Revised journalism curriculum ‘more practical’

June 18, 2024Faculty, Journalism, News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication#News, #students, Media and Communication, Staff, UCU School of JournalismPatty Huston-Holm

Emilly Comfort Maractho, Associate Professor in Media Studies, Uganda Christian University School of Journalism, Media and Communication

By Kefa Senoga
When asked to name one contribution she has made in journalism that makes her overjoyed, Assoc. Prof. Emilly Comfort Maractho smiled and straightaway gave the answer: “Reviewing and redesigning the journalism and communication curriculum is one of the proudest things I have ever done in my career and in journalism.”

Maractho said the revised curriculum was influenced by discussions on “what kind of journalists and communication professionals we want to prepare.”

The curriculum Maractho referenced was “a more practical” one taught within what was earlier called the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Then head of journalism in the Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (now School of JMC), Maractho had the lead role in the emphasis on practicality when reviewing and redesigning curriculum within requirements of the National Council for Higher Education, which mandates revisions every three years.

Assoc. Prof. Emilly Comfort Maractho said students need both knowledge and skills

In the revised curriculum, Maractho said they intended to give the journalism and communication students not just the knowledge, but also the skills. For instance, she says, a person needs a solid understanding of economics in order to be a successful business journalist, and that was the thinking behind the introduction of course units like business and economics journalism in the curriculum.

Maractho found herself leading the curriculum review because shortly after obtaining a PhD in 2017, she was named the head of UCU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies. The previous office bearer, Prof. Monica Chibita, had been promoted to the position of Dean in the then-newly established Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication.

Six years after her promotion to senior lecturer and head of department of Journalism and Media Studies, Maractho has been promoted from the level of Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor in Media Studies. Maractho says that this promotion is more of an acknowledgment of her accomplishments in the spaces of media, communication and development.

“To be an associate professor, you must have significantly contributed to a particular discipline through research, publications, experience, and the work that you are doing in that field,” says Maractho. She has also written many papers and Chairs the Schools’ Media, Democracy and Development Research Group.

Maractho’s venture into media academia began in 2005 when she took a postgraduate program in environmental journalism at Makerere University, and took shape in 2012 when she moved to Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, to pursue a master’s in communication, majoring in media studies. Initially, she studied development studies at Makerere University, where she graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s in development studies. Thereafter, in 2007, she pursued a masters in development studies in 2007 at Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi.

Maractho says she desired to study journalism at the undergraduate level, but did not secure the points to qualify for a government scholarship. Furthermore, her parents could not afford to pay for the course on a private sponsorship.

“My mother agreed to pay for a course whose tuition she could afford and development studies was among the cheapest courses; actually, it had the lowest tuition at the university, so I enrolled for that,” Maractho asserts.

Nevertheless, Maractho didn’t give up on her lifelong passion. After her university education, she joined Uganda Electricity Distribution Company limited and did part time work as an editor for the Westnile, a community newspaper whose target audience was northwestern Uganda. That is how she enrolled for a postgraduate course in environmental journalism at Makerere University in 2005.

Since undertaking her Master’s in Communication at Daystar University in Nairobi, Maractho has seamlessly integrated herself into the media and journalism academy. Subsequently, in 2014, she embarked on a PhD in Cultural and Media Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Maractho’s May 2024 promotion to the level of Associate Professor coincided with her appointment as chairperson of the board of the African Center for Media Excellence (ACME), a non-profit organization that “occupies the space between the media industry and academic institutions that train journalists.”

“Our role as ACME is to make sure that there is journalistic excellence, so my job will be to champion the work of ACME, its ideals, and core values, and making the institution live to its full potential,” Maractho said.

She also sits on the boards of Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) and Nation Media Group, Uganda.

She adds that part of her contribution at UMWA was participating in developing a gender-sensitive curriculum that provided training on reporting women’s stories, particularly those concerning domestic violence. She argues that such stories were not being given prominence by the media houses.

Previously, Maractho served as the director for the Africa Policy Centre (APC) at UCU, a think-tank set up by the university to propose policy alternatives to transform communities.

“My biggest achievement at APC was collaborating with the Impact Centre in South Africa to do research on the science granting councils in Africa,” she said. “A science granting council is a governmental body that champions science and technology. For example in Uganda, we have the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.”

Maractho’s educational journey began in 1984 in Nebbi Town, where she attended Nebbi Primary School and later moved to Muni Girls Secondary School and Mvara Secondary School. All the three schools are located in northwestern Uganda.

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