I congratulate the Department of Journalism and Communication upon reaching this important milestone of 30 years since it was started. Makerere University is extremely proud of the Department of Journalism and Communication for the significant contribution it has made to the University and the media and communication industry in Uganda and the region.
Whereas the Department started with one degree programme in 1988, over the years, it has expanded
to offer Masters and PhD programmes. From the start until now, both undergraduate and graduate programmes have been vibrant and popular among students, and have produced many influential leaders in the industry in and outside Uganda.
Plans are underway to create two new programmes within the Department to further expand and improve the quality of training at Bachelors and Masters levels – and to continue producing competitive graduates on the continent and globally.
Makerere University, through the Department, was the first institution in East African to teach journalism and communication at degree level. This has given us an opportunity to mentor trainers in this sector for other universities in Uganda and elsewhere in the region.
The Department currently boosts of a relatively young and a highly trained staff that includes more
than 10 PhDs. We are convinced that the current capacity of the Department will enable it to grow
further, to cement its position as a center of excellence in journalism and communication training in the East African region.
Despite this milestone, I want to encourage the staff at the Department not to rest on their laurels, but to work even harder using the maturity and experience gained over the last 30 years. While the University has provided space to the Department to expand its activities in the short and medium term, we pledge to support the Department to acquire a Media Dome to meet training demands in future.
I wish you happy celebrations as we pray and work harder for more achievements in the years ahead.
We Build for the Future
—
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
