By William Opio
In June 2025, when Victor Tayebwa boarded a plane to Geneva, Switzerland, it was the realization of a dream he had harbored since childhood – not only to be a journalist, but to be one of impact. With that flight, Tayebwa’s final destination was the Palexpo Convention Center, which hosted the World of Coffee event from June 26–28, 2025.
“It was both humbling and inspiring to be part of those telling the coffee story to audiences back home,” Tayebwa said of the event that is one of the world’s biggest gatherings of coffee experts, traders and policy influencers. While at that event, Tayebwa celebrated his 25th birthday, having been born on June 26, 2000.
Victor Tayebwa reporting for NBS from Geneva, where he covered the World of Coffee conference
“That environment gave me a deeper appreciation of how global decisions ripple down to affect local economies and everyday livelihoods,” he said.
Telling that Geneva story marked a defining chapter in Tayebwa’s career as a business journalist for NBS Television and Nile Post, an online news platform, both under Uganda’s Next Media Services.
Though his early academic path seemed to point elsewhere, Tayebwa’s heart was always drawn to storytelling. After completing his secondary education at Seeta High School near Kampala, he joined Makerere University Business School (MUBS) to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
“I ended up pursuing a business degree because it was a government sponsorship,” he explained. However, he is now reaping from the benefits of the course because, as a business reporter, he is able to tell stories with an authentic voice, given his knowledge on the subject matter.
An encounter with Canary Mugume, one of Uganda’s broadcast journalists at NBS, was a turning point. Under Mugume’s mentorship, Tayebwa says he began to see how his communication skills and curiosity could find expression in the newsroom.
In February 2022, Tayebwa stepped into NBS Television as an intern.
“It was a dream come true because I always wanted to be part of that family,” he said. “Working with people I had always watched on TV felt motivating.”
His performance during the internship caught the attention of newsroom editors, leading to a permanent position with Next Media in January 2023. Since then, he has reported extensively on Uganda’s economy, from manufacturing and investment to diaspora remittances and fiscal policy.
“I chose business reporting because it’s a space where I can connect numbers and policy to the everyday lives of people,” he said.
Tayebwa’s formal journey into journalism began when he joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) for his second degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication that he is now seeking.
“Pursuing the course at UCU has shaped me in profound ways both professionally and personally,” he said. “The program equips one with a solid foundation in media ethics, storytelling, research, and digital communication. It has also sharpened my ability to report with accuracy and integrity.”
The university’s Christian values, he added, have shaped his approach to journalism.
“UCU taught me that journalism is not just a career, but a calling to serve society with truth and responsibility,” he said. “It nurtured my confidence and discipline.”
In 2024, Tayebwa’s commitment to accuracy and context earned him a Sanlam Summer School Fellowship in South Africa, an intensive program for outstanding financial journalists across the continent.
“The fellowship exposed me to global journalistic standards, sharpened my storytelling skills, and deepened my understanding of ethical financial reporting,” he said. “It reminded me that journalism is about impact, not applause.”
He added: “Each award or fellowship is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the people, mentors, and institutions that have shaped my journey.”
As Tayebwa continues to build his career in business journalism, his story serves as an inspiring case study of how determination and faith can transform youthful ambition into professional purpose. From his first internship at NBS Television to international fellowships and global reporting assignments, he has steadily demonstrated that journalism, when practiced with integrity and depth, can bridge the gap between policy and the people it affects.
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