By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus. The Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) Hub auditorium at the rooftop of Tirupati Mazima Mall in Kabalagala was for close to 20 minutes filled with incredible scenes and excitement as KIU was announced among the best teams of the 2022 National Newsroom Contest.

With ululations, screams, and tears of joy, members of team KIU embraced each other and danced in celebration immediately after they were confirmed among the best teams.

KIU put up a magnificent performance in the first round of the 2022 National Newsroom Contest on Tuesday, 18th October 2022, to qualify for the grand finale scheduled for 25th November. Organised by Media Challenge Initiative, this year's edition is the first of a kind with only six teams proceeding to the expo and the grand finale.

The contest required each University to produce a complete 30 minutes’ radio show while emulating what happens on mainstream radio.

Tuesday saw only six teams present before the top four were confirmed to have proceeded to the grand finale.

The introduction of the radio phase as the determinant of the finalists has made this year's edition of the National Newsroom Contest the most competitive in the history of the challenge filled with too much tension and pressure.

Thanks to team KIU for the exhibition of unmatched teamwork, coordination, articulation, production, and presentation that left almost everyone wondering how they did it. Apart from being the smartest team, KIU was the most organised team and according to the judges, no other team did it like the explorers.

"I'm so proud of the work you have displayed today, the preparation was so beautiful," Judge Faiza Salima from 933 KFM remarked.

To mark the team's meticulous performance, KIU'S Idarius Pajobo and Apophia Nzeirwege were announced among the top individual standouts of the day.

Pajobo was praised by the judges for being a good host and team leader while Nzeirwege known to the team as Mama Kimbowa was the best live reporter. They all received a standing ovation.

KIU will be joined by Makerere University, Cavendish University, and Makerere Business Institute in the grand finale which will feature television news production.   

Congratulations Team KIU

Courtesy Pictures