Our Reporter | Mbale City — The Bamasaba Cultural Institution has urged Ugandan journalists and other members of the media fraternity to take advantage of thousands of scholarship opportunities available through the institution and pursue further education to advance their careers.
Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, said the institution has secured scholarship opportunities at various universities for the 2026/2027 academic year, covering certificate, diploma, degree, master’s and PhD programmes.
Masiga said journalists are among the key groups the cultural institution would like to benefit from the scholarships because of their contribution to promoting and reporting on activities of the institution.
“Journalists have commendably done well in reporting for the cultural institution, and naturally, as a cultural institution, we think it is proper and fitting for them to be among the top beneficiaries,” Masiga said.
The available opportunities include programmes in journalism, law, business administration, human resource management, public administration, social administration and other disciplines.
According to Masiga, the institution has received scholarship opportunities from universities including Kampala International University, Livingstone International University, Ibanda University, Seeta University and St. Lawrence University, among others.
He said the institution is also engaging other universities, including Victoria University, Cavendish University, Islamic University in Uganda, Team University, Kumi University, Makerere University, Uganda Christian University and King Ceasor University, in an effort to secure more opportunities for its people.
“We are following up with other universities to ensure we lobby for as many thousands of scholarships as possible for our people,” Masiga said.
Different Universities Offer Varying Discounts
Masiga explained that the scholarship arrangements differ from one university to another and that applicants must meet the academic and other admission requirements set by the respective institutions.
At Kampala International University, scholarship opportunities are available particularly in arts-related programmes, including business administration, law, human resource management, public administration, social administration and journalism, from certificate to PhD level.
Under the arrangement, students are required to pay 50 per cent of the tuition fees.
For example, if a programme costs Shs1 million, the student would pay Shs500,000.
At Livingstone International University, students can pursue various courses, with the university offering a 30 per cent tuition reduction. A programme costing Shs1 million would therefore require the student to pay Shs700,000.
St. Lawrence University has offered 100 fully funded scholarship slots covering all courses. Beneficiaries under these slots will study without paying tuition fees, subject to the university’s admission requirements.
At Seeta University, 50 scholarship slots are available across different courses, including Medicine. The university has offered a 40 per cent tuition reduction, meaning a course costing Shs1 million would require the student to pay Shs600,000.
Meanwhile, Ibanda University has provided several scholarship slots up to degree level, with the university offering a 70 per cent tuition reduction. A programme costing Shs1 million would therefore require the student to pay Shs300,000.
Journalists Encouraged to Upgrade
Masiga encouraged journalists and other members of the public to consider acquiring additional academic qualifications, saying education and professional development can enhance credibility and open up new opportunities.
“I encourage our people, especially the media, to rethink acquiring extra qualifications. With education, you never go wrong, and extra skills in whichever area of reporting will increase credibility in what you tell us, and you will be addressed with respect,” he said.
He added that the Bamasaba Cultural Institution will continue engaging universities to secure additional scholarship opportunities for its people.
The scholarships are available for the 2026/2027 academic year, with beneficiaries expected to meet the conditions and admission requirements contained in the respective universities’ memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
For more information, interested applicants can contact Steven Masiga, spokesperson of the Bamasaba Cultural Institution, on 0782 231 577, or visit the cultural institution’s offices in Mbale City, where staff will provide further guidance.
