On Saturday, July 26, 2025, multimedia journalist Kungu Al-Mahadi Adam will graduate with a Master of Science in Mass Communication from Kampala International University’s (KIU) Western Campus in Ishaka, Bushenyi district.
The ceremony, coinciding with KIU’s 25th anniversary, will celebrate thousands of graduands in a milestone event for the university.
Kungu, a 33-year-old journalist known for his coverage of African affairs, particularly in the Horn of Africa, successfully defended his master’s thesis on international media propaganda and news coverage of Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict.
His academic journey, which began in April 2023, reflects his commitment to promoting balanced and truthful journalism in conflict zones.
“I’m honored to graduate from KIU during its 25th anniversary,” Adam said. “My thesis challenges biased media narratives that misrepresent African conflicts like the Tigray war. I hope my work fosters authentic storytelling to support regional stability.”
Kungu’s decade-long media career began in 2016 as a political writer and reporter for Sunrise Newspaper. He later contributed to SoftPower News and Plus News Uganda, focusing on regional issues, before transitioning to broadcast journalism in 2019 as a political talk show host at Top Radio and Television.
In 2020, he joined BaBa Television and Radio 4, hosting programs like Gangamuka and Hot Cup at 9, which explore Uganda’s political and social landscape. In 2023, Kungu was appointed station manager at Radio 4, shaping content for one of Uganda’s leading urban lifestyle stations.
Currently, he works with Next Media, hosting prominent Luganda political talk shows—Barometer and Eagle on NBS TV—and Morning Xpress on Sanyuka TV.
His focus on the Horn of Africa has taken him to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, where he covered conflicts like the Tigray war, advocating for objective journalism.
“Media framing can escalate tensions,” Kungu told Bbeg Media. “I strive to tell African stories with fairness and authenticity.”
Kungu described his master’s journey as both enriching and demanding.
“Balancing a demanding media career at Next Media and Radio 4 with academic research was challenging,” he said.
“Analyzing the Tigray conflict required navigating polarized narratives while maintaining objectivity, which was intellectually and emotionally taxing. KIU’s mentors and peers kept me grounded.”
His thesis critiques how international media often amplify biased narratives, such as portraying the Ethiopian government as the sole aggressor in the Tigray conflict while downplaying the Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s role.
Kungu joins fellow graduands poised to drive impact, embodying KIU’s mission of fostering innovation and leadership. “This degree strengthens my commitment to using journalism for positive change in Uganda and Africa,” he said.
The ceremony, blending academic achievement with institutional pride, will draw dignitaries, families, and alumni to KIU’s Western Campus, highlighting the university’s enduring impact on education in Uganda and beyond.
President Museveni is expected to attend as the chief guest.
