Promoting Journalism and Performing Arts: Kabale University Reaches Out to Secondary Schools in Kabale District

In a remarkable gesture of community support, the Kabale University Institute of Language Studies, through its Department of Communication Studies empowered selected Secondary School with Career Guidance to secondary school learners. Community engagement being one of the core mandate of a university, a team of enthusiastic lecturers and students conducted a three – day career guidance campaign to secondary school students in the Kabale district, to popularize the BA. Journalism and Mass communication, BA. Creative and Performing Arts plus other academic programs offered at Kabale University. The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Communication Studies, aimed to inspire secondary school students to make informed decisions about their future career paths at University level.

Speaking during the schools visit, the Head Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Rajab Idd Muyingo, emphasized the importance of guiding secondary school students before joining any institution of higher learning. He further added that “As an institution that is training the next generation of professionals in different disciplines, it is our mandate  to sensitive the secondary school students on the available academic programs at Kabale University and other Institutions of higher learning”. Furthermore, Mrs. Esther Ayebazibwe, an Assistant Lecturer of Journalism and Mass communication particularly resonated with the audience by sharing her personal journey. “I used to walk long distances from my home to school, but that never stopped me from becoming the first girl in my village to graduate with a degree,” she recalled. Her story ignited a sense of determination among the students, many of whom had access to boarding facilities and were encouraged to start planning their futures early.

On her part Dr. Caroline Nabuzale, a lecture of Journalism responded to many questions raised by students during the career guidance sections. Astoning questions included sponsorships at Kabale University, entry requirements to different university academic programs, social life at campus among others. It is worth to note that Mr. Joseph Kiva, also an Assistant lecturer for journalism, briefed learners about the new academic programs in department, namely BA. Journalism and Mass communication and BA. Creative and Performing Arts. He emphasized the importance of pursuing communication related academic programs at Kabale University.  The team visited several secondary schools including Ndorwa S.S, St. Janan Luwum, St. Barnabas S.S Karujanga, St. Maria Goretti Rushoroza, Hornby High School, St. Mary’s College Rushoroza among others. During the visitation, the team engaged students in interactive sessions that focused on decision-making and course selection tailored to individual career aspirations

School administrators also expressed their appreciation for the initiative. Head teachers, including Madam Promise Nowe of St. Jonan Luwum and Mr. Christopher Monday of St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, thanked the university’s administration for delivering the career guidance to their schools at no cost a gesture that they noted typically comes with a fee. In a further show of support, Mr. Monday extended an invitation to Kabale University to establish a French club at St. Mary’s College, highlighting the institution’s positive impact on the community. For many years, Kabale University has been dedicated to bridging the gap between secondary education and professional development, ensuring that students are well equipped to navigate the challenges of their future academic and career endeavors.