By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus – New Vision’s Ibrahim Ruhweza was named the best investigative journalist of the year at the 2024 Uganda Journalism Awards organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) in recognition of his exceptional reporting on health, crime, and education. He attributes that success to where it all began at KIU.

Ruhweza’s rise to international recognition in journalism is a story of hard work, passion, perseverance, mastering the processes, and most importantly, exploring the heights. These are some of the values KIU teaches.

When Ruhweza joined KIU in 2015, he had his mind set on becoming a great journalist, one capable of helping people understand the world around them better.

“I wanted to make people understand the power of being informed about life’s events, mostly the past and current affairs, because information makes the world move at the right pace of development, and so do individuals,’’ he explains.

“I specialized in print media, which helped me get involved quickly. This later helped me secure good opportunities, including working at Uganda’s best print media powerhouse, New Vision.’’

“Being at KIU was another tough journey, especially when it came to finances, given my parents were not that well off. However, the lecturers and course mates helped me keep moving with the best guidance. In class, everyone knew me as the best storyteller and writer,’’ he narrates.

Career
Ruhweza admits that KIU had changed his life even before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication in August 2018.

“My life changed even before leaving the university. In my last year, after internship, an emerging organization, Dream Chaser Magazine, offered me a volunteering opportunity as a writer, and they would give me some facilitation.

After graduation, I was made a full staff member, and after three months, I was promoted to general content manager. The magazine business grew faster, gaining the trust of the people with the help of the new ideas I used to suggest.

In 2021, I got an opportunity to write for Daily Monitor as a guest writer for six months, where I published several opinionated articles,” he narrates.

Ruhweza’s journalism career broke through when he joined New Vision as a freelancer in February 2022.

“Everything changed when I joined Uganda’s leading daily. I was assigned to the news desk, writing daily stories. After a year, I was transferred to the investigation desk, where I started writing human interest stories about crime, health, and education.”

“I have been named and given accolades for the month's best stories. Last year, I was awarded Uganda’s best investigative journalist in the category of justice, law, and order at the National Journalism Awards organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME).’’

“I came to KIU as a young man; now, globally, I’m getting recognized. It's because of how I was shaped.’’

Advice to Students
Be down to earth. Be teachable even when you think you know. Life is about learning and getting exposed to all of its norms.

I believe in three principles of life: being hopeful, being patient, and mostly breaking the rules where necessary.

Although I did not receive all the knowledge, I needed from KIU, the confidence I gained helped me a lot in executing my ideas and goals. The crime and security stories I tell encourage the security and government to take immediate action, which is good for society.

University Memories and Reflections
We used to run, and we had a good team of athletes. Our coaches were Absolom, Justus Nuwagaba, and Ezekiel Letting. Our team was so strong, especially with the help of Coach Latigo.

KIU has also changed in so many spheres; there is more confidence and trust from the public, and the standards have gone even higher, as seen with the many awards students are winning out there.

25th Anniversary Reflections
Celebrating 25 years means KIU has grown, and it continues to expand. Thousands of students have passed through and are now part of the elite class that is working day and night to make Africa a better place.

KIU has inspired enormous economic development in Kansanga and Ishaka, giving several people a source of income and belonging. Landlords are earning good money from students, and those dealing in food supply and transport services are benefiting as well.

25th Anniversary Message to KIU

You tendered many who were hopeless. They are now in key positions of leadership. They keep winning, and you are the mother that saw them grow. Keep growing with your motto, "Exploring the Heights." It has inspired me so much.

I keep growing into a big tree that gives good fruits. You are the reason when I look back.