Bachelor of Journalism and Communication

1.1 Programme Objectives

The objectives of the BJCO are to equip learners with the appropriate balance of multi-disciplinary knowledge, intellectual abilities, and professional skills in the field of journalism, communication and relevant humanities fields. At the end of the programme, learners are expected to analyse and apply journalistic and communication information to address social challenges and improve livelihood conditions at different levels in society.

The specific objectives of the programme are:

• To equip students with the knowledge and understanding of the role of journalism and communication in economic, political and socio-cultural development at national and global levels
• To equip students with knowledge and skills to strengthen their practice and proficiency in journalism and communication practice
• To offer students a deep multidisciplinary exploration in the professional disciplines of journalism and communication, while building their professionalism on a broad foundation in the social sciences, liberal arts, languages, as well as information and communication technology (ICT)
• To train national and international journalists and communication practitioners
• To equip scholars with journalistic and strategic communication skills to solve problems that constrain national and global development
• To meet the demand for current and future journalism and strategic communication specialists in government agencies, bodies, parastatals, and profit and non-profit organisations within Uganda and beyond

1.2 Programme Outcomes

By the end of the programme, learners will be able to:

• Recognise the role and importance of media and communication in a wide range of sectors.
• Report news about politics, health, economics, business, environment, science and technology and other contemporary development issues.
• Demonstrate essential media and communication skills in a variety of sectors.
• Develop communication strategy to address challenges in the social, political and economic, spheres.
• Recognise the linkage between technology, journalism and communication on the one hand and job and career prospects on the other.
• Apply ethical, legal and policy standards in media, journalism and communication practice at a national and global level.

1.3 Employment Prospects

The Bachelor of Journalism and Communication degree is one of the most sought-after programmes in the field of humanities and social sciences. Graduates of this programme easily find employment in local and international newsrooms to work as reporters, writers, editors and sub-editors.

Our communication track equips our students with knowledge to work as information/communication/public relations officers/managers in both local and international organisations. The versatility of the programme enables our graduates to take on non-traditional communication/journalism roles such as fundraising officers, monitoring and evaluation officers and account executives.

Some of our previous graduates are currently working in prestigious local and international agencies such as UNICEF, FAO, the World Bank, the IMF, UNDP, Daily Monitor, New Vision, NTV, NBS, the President’s office, Office of the Prime Minister, Makerere University, among others. Increasingly, many of our graduates are also finding employment in the digital communication sector. They could also work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as in consultancy firms.

Finally, the graduates from this programme will create their own jobs and become entrepreneurs as content creators, media owners, influencers, communication consultants, among others.