By Sulphine Mbambu Bonabana
The School of Journalism at Uganda Christian University held its annual Media Dinner at Kampala Nile Resort, Namanve, under the theme Unmasking Untold Stories. The event, marked by elegance and reflection, brought together third-year journalism students to celebrate their academic and professional journey since their first year.
Organised by the Media Link Association, the dinner offered a platform for students to network, share experiences, and showcase their growth in the journalism field. Laura Nagaba Nataline, President of the Media Link Association, led this year’s organizing team, steering the event to success with passion and precision.
According to Laura Nagaba Nataline, the president Media Link Association, the major reason for holding the media dinner was to celebrate the students generally, but also to connect with people in the journalism working world.
“Holding the media dinner was to allow journalism students to connect with people in the journalism working world to get insightful advice and career guidance, socialize more with fellow students,” said Laura
Catherine Mwesigwa Kiiza, board member Save the Mothers East Africa, explained that unmasking means taking off the blind fold. The only way to see is by removing the blind fold.
“It takes a step to remove the blind fold to see. The stories are actually in open space to us, but we are blind folded by different biases,” said Catherine. Alumni from the School of Journalism attended, the dean School of Journalism, and journalism students
The guest speaker, Rukh-Shana Kitaka, explained that taking off a mask as a journalist means taking an extra step to dig into the reality of everyday life.
“There are some masks we wear for protection, others we wear because of society, but there’s a lot of reality that unfolds once the mask is taken off, and you should not be afraid to take the mask off,” said Rukh-Shana
The students who attended the media dinner acknowledged that it was a fun day, and yet a learning experience
“The media dinner was a great opportunity for me to connect with other students, especially connecting with third year students, and also a great learning opportunity for me through the different speeches,” said Madundu Damiano, a second year journalism student