KIU Main Campus: Kampala International University (KIU) delivered an outstanding performance on Friday, November 15th, 2024, winning both the English and Luganda television news bulletins at the National Newsroom Contest (NNC).

The competition, held at the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) Hub in Kabalagala, Kampala, marked a historic achievement as KIU became the first university to triumph in both categories in a single edition.

Organized annually by MCI, the NNC aims to enhance journalism skills among students from universities across Uganda. This year's contest challenged participants to focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 16, emphasizing "Decent Work and Economic Growth" and "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions."

Competing against eight other universities, KIU's team delivered an exceptional nine-minute news bulletin in both Luganda and English. Judges commended their efforts as "top-notch." 

Jacob Junior Munghesi, team leader and president of the Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), expressed his excitement over the victory.

"Being the first university in this competition's history to win both categories makes me extremely happy. I am still in awe of how our team overcame numerous challenges to achieve this milestone," Munghesi said.

The team produced most of their stories using mobile phones, competing against teams equipped with advanced gadgets. Munghesi expressed hope for increased support from the administration to further elevate the journalism department.

"In order to improve the department, I fervently hope the university will determine the most appropriate ways to fully support journalism students and organize them into an indispensable force," he added.

Munghesi also reflected on the lessons learned from the contest, emphasizing the importance of patience, dedication, and optimism.

"When things didn’t seem to be going our way, we made the most of what we had. This experience has taught me invaluable lessons," he explained.

Ashraf Kanunu, a second-year mass communication student and the main producer of Team KIU, highlighted the power of self-belief.

"Before today, I never imagined winning both prizes in just 20 minutes of presenting our bulletins. But here we are, taking home everything. I urge students across all courses to believe in their potential and strive for greatness," Kanunu stated.

"This achievement is unprecedented, even among my predecessors, whom I greatly admire as trailblazers in the journalism industry," he proudly added.

Having retained their title in the English bulletin, KIU eagerly awaits the awards night, where they will receive prizes for both categories. 

This victory means KIU has won at least a top prize in each of the last three consecutive editions of the National Newsroom Contest for the first time since the University joined the prestigious competition.