Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-The week-long hands-on skills acquisition that began on Monday 27th June 2022 and ends on 1st July 2022 has today had as many students and community members involved and equipped with photography skills in addition to Monday's soap making and bleach making session.

The week-long skilling sessions is a career and skills development program organized by the Office of the Dean of Students. The Program is being run under the guidance of the Directorate of Research, innovations and extension in partnership with community-based NGOs - Potter’s Heart Child Foundation (PHCF), Change African Child International (CACI) and Media Challenge Initiative all based in Uganda.

Today’s photography session has been facilitated by the head of training at the Media Challenge Initiative Antonia Kisembo and his colleague Phillip Mwebaza together with our social media manager Kisekka Umar.

The open week of hands-on skilling kicked off with training in liquid soap, bar soap and bleach where students were practically taught how to handle, mix and store the different chemicals used and how to start and operate a business with the different skills they have acquired.

Today's session focused on photography and the experts from Media Challenge Initiative practically equipped participants with the basics of photography and guided them on how to turn their passion of photography into a profitable venture.

The coordinator of this programme Ms Anita Malinga urged the students and members from the community to acquire these hands-on skills that will help them acquire a sustainable livelihood and at the same time help them solve social challenges.

“These practical sessions will lessen the challenge of graduate unemployment and will promote entrepreneurship growth in the University, the community and the nation at large.” Ms Anita said

"I am so grateful to the facilitators. They have made me change my mentality about photography and I am hopeful that what we've learnt today will help us in the course of our studies and when we get to the field,” Deborah Akunyo Mass communication student

“I also thank the University for organising this program. It is really good for us.” She adds.