Makerere University Launches a Climate Reporting Course for Journalists

Makerere University has launched a specialized short course designed to equip journalists with the skills necessary to report more effectively on climate change and its impacts. 

In 2024, journalism lecturers Ivan Nathanael Lukanda and Gerald Walulya of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University conducted a study titled ‘A spark of interest and empowerment: An assessment of climate change journalism training initiatives by local media support organisations.’ It highlighted the need to empower journalists to effectively report on environmental issues and become powerful advocates for change. 

They recommended the need for more specialised climate change trainers who possess up-to-the-minute knowledge of the rapidly evolving environmental landscape. 

The programme, developed by the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) through the Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovation (MUCCRI), seeks to strengthen climate journalism in Uganda at a time when the country is increasingly experiencing climate-related disruptions. 

Uganda has, in recent years, faced climate-related disasters, recorded unpredictable agricultural seasons and growing internal migration linked to environmental pressures. 

The training programme is designed to help journalists better understand climate science and communicate it clearly to the public.

Recognizing the demanding schedules of working journalists, the course will be delivered entirely online and is self-paced. 

The curriculum consists of eight modules developed by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, climate experts, and experienced media practitioners.

“Journalists are the bridge between science and society,” said Revocatus Twinomuhangi, the Dean of the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences at Makerere University.

“If you cannot explain something simply, you do not understand it well enough. This course ensures journalists grasp the depth of the climate crisis so they can report accurate and impactful stories.”

During the launch, members of the media fraternity also discussed the challenges journalists face when reporting on climate change. Leonard Namukasa of InfoNile noted that many reporters tend to shy away from environmental stories because they are often viewed as highly technical compared to fast-moving political news.

“Many journalists run for what is easy. They leave climate change to foreigners because they don’t understand the science,” Namukasa said. 

She urged editors to allocate reporters more time to work on climate stories, noting that environmental reporting often requires deeper research and investigation than the typical daily news cycle allows. 

The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, emphasized the importance of strengthening local capacity in climate journalism, noting that Ugandan stories should increasingly be told by Ugandan journalists.

She highlighted initiatives supported by the United Kingdom, including a Climate Change Reporting Award and specialized podcasts, aimed at promoting high-quality environmental reporting. 

Alex Atuhaire, representing the Uganda Editors Guild, said the Guild participated in developing the course curriculum to ensure it aligns with modern newsroom standards. 

He added that senior editors will mentor journalists who undertake the training to help their stories reach major national media platforms and promote solutions-oriented journalism. 

The initiative is supported by the Government of the United Kingdom through the Climate Smart Jobs Programme implemented by the Palladium Group. 

Professor Sarah Evelyn Nabwire Ssali, Makerere University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, said the university plans to expand climate change training beyond journalists to include local leaders, religious figures, and researchers from other disciplines. 

MUCCRI, which hosts the Uganda chapter of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has led several climate research initiatives, including the development of a Climate Adaptation Knowledge Base and studies on climate-induced migration and urban resilience.