Absa Bank Uganda, in partnership with Makerere University, has trained 17 journalists from leading media houses across the country in financial, business and data-driven reporting through the 2026 Absa-Makerere Journalism Masterclass.
The two-day training, held at Makerere University, is the second edition of the masterclass under a three-year partnership aimed at strengthening capacity in specialised journalism and enhancing the quality of business and financial reporting in Uganda.
Participants covered topics including “From Data to Impact,” navigating the realities of business and financial journalism in Uganda’s digital age, key concepts in business and financial journalism, skills for business and financial news writing, the use of data journalism techniques in financial reporting, financial markets and the current economic outlook and ethics in business and financial journalism, the dos and don’ts of the trade.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director David Wandera said the masterclass reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting quality journalism and improving public understanding of business and economic issues.
“The continued interest in this masterclass demonstrates the value journalists place on strengthening their understanding of business and financial reporting. Economic conditions, investments and business decisions affect society, making informed and accurate reporting essential. As a banker and news consumer, I rely on journalists to explain sectors, markets, and investments clearly. Strong financial and business knowledge makes a significant difference,” Wandera said.
The Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, Dr Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, commended Absa Bank Uganda for investing in the development of specialised journalism skills.
“Business and financial journalism is a demanding beat and many of our newsrooms simply don’t have the resources to train reporters in it properly. What Absa is doing here fills that gap. When journalists understand data and financial concepts better, they ask better questions and the stories they write serve the public better,” Dr Nakiwala stated.
The Absa-Makerere Journalism Masterclass forms part of a broader three-year partnership between Absa Bank Uganda and Makerere University aimed at advancing professional journalism standards and nurturing excellence in financial and business reporting.
