Absa Bank Uganda has launched a three-year partnership with Makerere University aimed at strengthening the capacity of journalists in financial, business, and data-driven reporting.
The initiative kicked off with the 2025 Absa–Makerere Journalism Masterclass, a two-day training hosted at the university’s Department of Journalism and Communication. Twenty journalists from across Uganda participated, gaining practical skills designed to improve accuracy, depth, and clarity in their reporting.
Catherine Kijjagulwe, Acting Head of Markets at Absa Bank Uganda, said the masterclass provided not only technical knowledge but also a valuable platform for journalists to exchange ideas and network. “We are proud to power such an impactful initiative, which aligns with our commitment to promoting excellence across various sectors,” she noted.
Dr. Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, praised the partnership, saying it will significantly contribute to raising standards in Ugandan journalism.
Representing Absa’s Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, Billy Bisanga, Head of Client and Digital Marketing, highlighted the vital role journalists play in fostering transparency and informed public debate. He said the training was designed to help participants better navigate complex economic and financial topics, adding that the bank plans to train more journalists over the next three years.
Organizers say the masterclass is part of a broader push to strengthen the media’s role in shaping informed national conversations through evidence-based, data-driven storytelling.