By Gift Kalikulali
Pascal Mumbere, a former civil engineering student who once walked away from university after struggling academically, emotional strain, and a traumatic robbery, will be graduating with a First Class degree in Journalism and Communication from Uganda Christian University (UCU) today. Mumbere, who hails from Kasese says his journey was not easy but shaped who he has become today.
Mumbere’s journey began with strong family expectations for him to pursue civil engineering, a course chosen largely to fulfil his mother’s dream and belief in his academic potential. Although he accepted the decision with the hope of making her proud, he quickly discovered that the course did not align with his passion or identity.
“I was doing engineering to make my mother proud, but deep inside I was struggling,” he says. He started writing skits and gospel plays as a way to cope.
As the pressure increased, he found himself failing some tests. The situation was made worse when he was robbed when travelling between Kampala and campus.
That moment marked a turning point. He remembers sitting at a bus park in Kampala late in the night, overwhelmed by fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty about his future.
“I sat there until almost midnight,” he says. “I had no money, no plan, and I didn’t even know what would happen next.”
He called his mother and told her he had failed as an engineer and could not continue. His mother encouraged him not to give up, but at that moment, his mind was already made up. He finally found the courage to tell his mother about his dream. “I told her I want to tell African stories,” he says. “Stories that show more than poverty and suffering. Africa has creativity, culture, and life that people rarely see.”
When asked what course would lead him there, he mentioned journalism. His mother supported the idea and encouraged him to explore it seriously, marking the beginning of a new academic direction.
Mumbere then began afresh and joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) where he says the admission process was fast, simple, and welcoming. At UCU, he slowly rebuilt his life and found peace as he settled into his studies.
Mumbere says his love for storytelling grew: “I became interested in filmmaking, writing, and visual storytelling. I joined creative projects with other students and slowly began to see myself as a media student rather than an engineering student.”
He is grateful to various people who have supported him along the journey. He is grateful to Mr. Francis Achaye for his guidance, the School of Journalism fellowship, and the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) fellowship for the mentorship and support they provided.
“Their encouragement kept me going,” he says.
Today, he graduates with a First Class degree, a journey shaped by struggle, change, and determination and the discovery of a voice he once did not know he had.
