By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-KIU needed eight different awards to emerge 2022 National Newsroom Contest overall winners for the first time since the inception of the awards by Media Challenge Initiative. During the awards ceremony held at the Media Challenge Initiative Hub in Kabalagala on Friday 16th December 2022, KIU was announced as the best in Luganda news production and presentation as well.

The awards ceremony started in a calm atmosphere inside one of the MCI halls before being shifted to the main auditorium amidst tension and optimism. Here, the main ceremony kicked off with captivating freestyle performances from Students.

Apophia Nzeirwegye opened KIU'S bag of awards with the outstanding performer radio news live reporting award which was handed to her by former NBSTV news anchor Julius Buchana. Apophia's award was the first for KIU out of the inaugural eight given outside the main auditorium and was enough to restore the diminishing hope in the team, dubbed the winning team.

Idarius Pajobo received the award for the most outstanding radio host hence starting what the host, Tracy Kansiime described as a clean sweep of awards by KIU. His award was followed by four successive awards all for team KIU. Apophia Nzeirwegye for best Luganda news live reporter, Hellen Otaga's best Community story, Hilder and Ruth's best gender story award and the best producer for Luganda news award.

The head of department, journalism and media studies, Madam Maureen Komugisha sat amidst the students and witnessed team KIU run into frenzy as they celebrated for close to 10 minutes as the rest of the auditorium watched in absolute wonder. This incredible run saw Makerere University and UMCAT who had begun the day on a high, go quiet for some time to concentrate on counting their collections.

UMCAT and Makerere University would regain the moment when it came to the English news awards but the announcement of Deborah Akunyo as the best public service reporter in English meant that KIU would top the awards list. A somewhat surprised Akunyo could not hide her excitement as she walked with some rare dance strokes to college her accolade.

"Just know it was KIU's moment, I couldn't make it simply ordinary, there had to be a difference between the winning team and the rest," Akunyo said after the ceremony.

Miss Komugisha was the only head of the journalism department who attended the awards ceremony in person, thanks to her Students for making her proud. She looked helplessly happy as she collected one of the team's awards.

"Congratulations my boys and girls.  Am overwhelmed by your performance," she wrote on the KIU news team Social Media platform.

With two awards, all for being the best live reporter, both in radio and television, Apophia Nzeirwegye was the most outstanding member of team KIU. She danced upon receiving her second and was embraced by a hug from each member of team KIU present.

UMCAT who gave KIU a good run for the money came second while Makerere University was third on the awards list despite being the best team in English News.

All the participating Students in this year's competition have an open chance to apply for a six-month fellowship of intensive multimedia training, one in which only 26 successful candidates will be considered. Individuals who won awards have a 50 per cent chance of making it to the fellowship.

Picture Credit: Media Challenge Initiatve