KAMPALA — Absa Bank Uganda and Makerere University have trained 17 journalists from leading media houses in financial, business and data-driven reporting under 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 between the bank and the university aimed at strengthening specialised journalism and improving the quality of business and financial reporting in Uganda.
The journalists were trained in data-driven reporting, business and financial news writing, financial markets, the economic outlook and ethical reporting.
Other sessions focused on navigating business and financial journalism in Uganda’s digital age, understanding key financial concepts and using data journalism techniques to produce impactful financial stories.
Speaking at the opening, Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director David Wandera said the programme was part of the bank’s commitment to supporting quality journalism and improving public understanding of economic and business issues.
“The continued interest in this masterclass demonstrates the value journalists place on strengthening their understanding of business and financial reporting,” Wandera said.
He said economic conditions, investments and business decisions affect society, making accurate and informed reporting important.
“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,” he said.
Dr Aisha Nakiwala Sembatya, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, commended Absa for investing in specialised journalism training.
“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,” she said.
Dr Nakiwala said a better understanding of data and financial concepts would enable journalists to ask more informed questions and produce stories that better serve the public.
The masterclass is part of a broader three-year partnership between Absa Bank Uganda and Makerere University aimed at advancing professional journalism standards and developing expertise in financial and business reporting.
