Absa Bank Uganda has signed a three-year partnership with Makerere University aimed at equipping practicing journalists with advanced skills in financial, business, and data-driven reporting to raise the standard of Uganda’s media industry.
The collaboration kicked off with the 2025 Absa–Makerere Journalism Masterclass, held at the university, where 20 journalists from across the country were trained in accuracy, depth, and clarity of reporting. The programme focused on enabling journalists to deliver impactful, evidence-based stories that inform national conversations.
“This two-day session has provided journalists with an opportunity to enhance their skills and gain insights from industry experts. It has also given them the platform to network with their peers,” said Catherine Kijjagulwe, Absa Bank Uganda’s Acting Head of Markets. “At Absa Bank Uganda, we are proud to power such impactful initiatives, which align with our commitment to promoting excellence in various fields.”
Dr Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, praised the bank for supporting the initiative, saying it would go a long way in promoting excellence in Uganda’s journalism sector.
Billy Bisanga, Head of Client and Digital Marketing at Absa Bank Uganda, representing the Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, said the masterclass curriculum was designed to give journalists deeper insights into complex economic and financial issues.
“We are fully aware of the role journalists play in promoting transparency and fostering informed public discourse,” Bisanga noted. “This programme empowers them to thrive in an evolving media landscape. Over the next three years, we will train even more journalists under this arrangement.”
The Absa–Makerere partnership is expected to produce a new cadre of journalists capable of delivering incisive, data-backed reporting that strengthens public understanding of financial and economic matters.
