Profile

John Semakula

John Semakula

Lecturer

Biography

John Semakula is a veteran newspaper journalist. He worked at the New Vision newspaper in Uganda as a Senior Writer for over 10 years. Before joining the New Vision, John also reported for the Daily Monitor newspaper for three years. While at the New Vision, John won six national journalism awards to his name. He also served as the Managing Editor of the Standard newspaper of Uganda Christian University. Lately, he writes stories for the Sight Magazine in Australia and Religion Unplugged in the U.S. John holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass
Communication and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies both of Uganda Christian University. He is the current head of the Undergraduate Studies Department at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication.

Education

  • Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies, Uganda Christian University, 2016-2019.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Uganda Christian University, 2003-2006.
  • Non-degree certificate in Global Journalism, NLA University, Norway, 2017.

Research Interests

  • Media and Gender.
  • Media and Democracy.

Notable Awards

  • Winner Uganda National Journalism Award, Business, Finance and Economic Reporting, 2015.
  • Winner Uganda National Journalism Award, Data Journalism 2015.
  • Winner Uganda National Journalism Award, national news 2016.
  • Co-winner Uganda National Journalism Award, Data Journalism, 2016
  • Winner Washmedia Awards, National Print Investigative, 2017.
  • Overall winner, National Population Council Reporting award, 2016.

Projects

  • Communicating Migration and Mobility - E-Learning Programs and Newsroom Applications for Sub-Saharan Africa

Book Chapter

  • Brutality against Ugandan journalists hindering media freedom. Windhoek: John Meinert Printing Semakula, J. (2022).