By Bill Dan Arnold Borodi.
Following my article titled “From work to the realities of the workplace” published by the Uganda Christian University Standard Newspaper on Monday 8th July,2024 , I caught up with UCU alumni, Kiita Majorine a CBS radio news reporter.
Majorine 25 yrs , a daughter to Paul Mpanga and Esther Namirimu , residents of Lugazi- Nakazadde, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication in October 2021 from Uganda Christian University.Then, she started working with Central Broadcasting Services (CBS ) in January 2022.
She shares her personal experience with the reality of work .
What has been your most memorable experience since graduating from Uganda Christian University ?
The day my story aired first at CBS (she laughs in excitement ) I was excited, You know that experience? At CBS they encourage us to voice our stories . I voiced my first story so your relatives, jaja, started calling you that i have heard you ,so you know that excitement, it was memorable.
How did your education prepare you for your role at CBS?
Hmmm…… So they always tell us about the reality of the working field so i think i was prepared somehow ,they told us about how you have to run errands outside and the reality out here , it’s not like an easy thing to do. It greatly prepared me , I knew what I was getting into.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career and how have you overcome them?
Choosing a particular source of information for a particular story. How i have overcome is by keeping it professional with the sources , you know that girls go through a lot, but you have to keep it professional so that they respect you
How do you think your alma mater shaped your values and worldview , and how do those influence your work?
Oh (thinking), I went to the best Journalism School in Uganda so yah they prepared me for work , Skills like editing. A hundred percent I was ready, that’s why when I went to the field , it became easy for me and my bosses to co-operate .
What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates looking to break into the Industry ?
Okay journalism is so wide and they should specialise, because you can’t be good at everything. You can be good at feature stories, videography, and photojournalism. Yes, just specialise. Personally, I have specialised in writing. You know the lead has to be having everything . once you write a story or script and you give it to your editor and the lead is really off , they will be like what’s this , where did this person go to school?
Can you share a particularly meaningful project or achievement from your time at CBS?
I remember when i had just joined CBS, i think you have heard of this project Ekisaakaate by the Nnabagereka Development Foundation , i had just worked for one week and was assigned to cover it, like three weeks alone, moreover , i first i feared but i did it , my bosses were really impressed, they actually told me to voice the entire clip on video , i was told to collaborate with the person doing the video specifically for the Kabaka , Nnabagereka and the parents of the students , the Kabaka ,Mama Nnabageraka have heard my voice , I have met them personally and being a muganda myself, i know what that means .
How do you balance your professional life with your faith and personal values ?
Hmm i balance them, like i told you i am a Muganda and i am working for the Buganda kingdom radio, i really find it fun , it doesn’t conflict with my faith.
What skills or knowledge do you wish you had acquired while at university that would be helpful in your current role ?
You know when they tell us to learn about using different editing software , don’t say that i am focusing on this ,learn all the skills because they will help you in one way or the other , you have to specialise but you should have an idea of all skills because out here they will tell you to use it. I wish i had learnt that because i had to pay someone else to learn, so that i don’t look a disappointment to my bosses, that i don’t know, and yet i came to this best university in the country and i didn’t want to bring shame.
How has your experience at CBS impacted your perspective on the media industry in Uganda and Africa at large ?
When you are out here people focus on how much am I going to be paid? But when you reach there , you will realise it’s not all about money , when you do what people want , you will always be favoured. Personally, my bosses will assign me to cover the big people in Buganda because they know , i will know what to write and money will come later , we all need money but don’t put it as your first thing. Your work will speak for you .
What message would you like to share with your fellow alumni and the wider university community ?
I know people will be depressed when not working , or regrets about not studying something different and yet as long as you have your papers , you will finally do what you want as long .
