Makerere University has re-instated the Master of Arts in Journalism programme six months after the university halted admissions citing lack of capacity to manage the course.
In August 2011, the university suspended the masters program in journalism following a near crisis in staffing at the department of journalism and communication, after two senior lecturers left the university and another went on sabbatical leave.
Dr. George Lugalambi, the former head of department, resigned his post and left the university service to join Revenue Watch Institute, a non-profit policy organization that promotes transparency and accountability in oil management. Associate Professor Monica Chibita also left Makerere to head the department of mass communication at Uganda Christian University. Another senior lecturer, Associate Professor Goretti Nassanga went for her sabbatical leave.
But Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi, the new head of the journalism and communication department says the staffing situation has now improved enough to handle master’s students.
Mushengyezi, who comes in from the literature department at the same university, says by August this year two of the senior staff members—Professor Nassanga and William Tayebwa will be back to handle the master’s students. Tayebwa is currently finalising his Doctoral studies at Concordia University in Canada.
Mushengyezi adds that the department has also recruited Dr. Patricia Litho as a senior lecturer. The department has also approached Professor Chibita and Dr. Peter Mwesige to assist in the examination and supervision of the students. Dr. Mwesige is a former lecturer and head of Makerere’s mass communication department before it was renamed journalism and communication two years ago. He is now Executive Director of African Centre for Media Excellence—ACME.
The suspension affected 18 students who had applied and been admitted for the program. Mushengyezi says each of the 18 shall be contacted and if still interested they will re-admitted.
Marjorie Niyitegeka, the department Coordinator says the year of suspension has enabled the university to review the Masters program for the students, catering for their equipments and demands.
The MA Journalism program was started in the 2004/2005 academic year.
