The story of Uganda is told by people we train.
Uganda's first school of journalism and mass communication — training reporters, broadcasters and communicators since 1996.
Academics
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Diploma Programmes
Two-year diplomas in computing, ICT, journalism & media, human resources, public administration and records management.
View diploma programmes
National Certificates
National certificates in business, ICT, journalism & media, public administration, records and secretarial & office management.
View certificate programmes
It started with 32 students.
In 1996, with 32 students and one conviction — that Uganda deserved its own school of journalism — Charles Ogwel opened UMCAT. Thirty years later, its graduates fill the country's newsrooms.
Our storyStudent Work
See the galleryFrom day one, UMCAT is hands-on. Students report real stories, produce radio and television, shoot and edit, design, and run live newsroom shifts — building a portfolio long before they graduate.
Spotlight
All news
UMCAT celebrates its 15th graduation
Guest of honor Dr. Sarah Kanyike, Senior Presidential Adviser, congratulated a new class of storytellers at the school's 15th ceremony.
Read the storyApplications for 2026/27 are open.
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 9am–5pm
About UMCAT
Uganda's first media training school — opened in 1996, when the airwaves were new and the newsrooms needed people. We have been training them ever since.
Our Vision
To be a world-class journalism, multimedia training and research institution.
Our Mission
To provide high-quality, market-driven education, training, research and consultancy in journalism, multimedia, communication, business, management and ICT.
Our Core Values
It began with 32 students.
UMCAT was founded in 1996 by Charles Ogwel, a young Makerere Mass Communication graduate, at the height of Uganda's media boom — when new stations were opening everywhere and trained journalists were nowhere to be found.
The first class was 32 students. Today, after thirty years, UMCAT graduates work across Uganda's newsrooms, stations and communication offices.
Read the full story
"Welcome to UMCAT. For thirty years we have had one job: producing ethical, competent, practically skilled professionals who serve society. If you have a story to tell — and every Ugandan does — we will teach you to tell it well."
One school. The whole country.
Kampala is the main school. Regional training centres carry UMCAT across Uganda — and beyond its borders.
Business and management courses are offered at the regional centres.
Recognized and registered
Administration & governance
The Makerere Mass Communication graduate whose vision started the school in 1996 and who led the development of Uganda's first national journalism curriculum.
Proudly Ugandan. Globally connected.
The school's ambition for its next chapter: strengthening international partnerships and working toward becoming a specialized university of journalism, media and communication.
Academics
Thirteen accredited programmes across two award levels — each broken down by year, semester, module and credit unit. Every programme is built on practical, hands-on training.
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Admission
Applications for the 2026/27 intake are open. Apply online in minutes, or visit the admissions office at Kyadondo Road.
Choose a course
Browse our programs and pick the diploma, certificate or short course that fits your goals.
Submit your application
Complete the online application form, or pick up a physical form at the admissions office.
Receive your admission letter
Admissions reviews applications on a rolling basis. You'll be contacted with your offer and reporting dates.
What you'll need
Scholarships
UMCAT offers scholarship opportunities for qualifying students each academic year. Scholarship applications for 2026/27 are now open.
Scholarship detailsReady to apply?
News
30 Years of UMCAT
This year UMCAT turns thirty. To mark it, we're telling the school's story in four parts — from a single classroom of 32 students in 1996 to a national institution whose graduates fill Uganda's newsrooms, studios and communication offices. Read the series below, then catch up on the latest school news.
Latest
Graduations, admissions updates, scholarships and stories from campus. Follow along as we publish news throughout the anniversary year.
UMCAT celebrates its 15th graduation
Guest of honor Dr. Sarah Kanyike, Senior Presidential Adviser, congratulated the graduating class.
The 14th graduation sends a new class into Uganda's media
Graduates from diploma and certificate programs crossed the stage at the school's 14th ceremony.
Applications for the 2026/27 intake are open
Apply online or at the Kyadondo Road campus. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Scholarship opportunities for qualifying students
Tuition support is available this academic year. Ask the admissions office how to apply.
More stories on the way
Existing articles from umcatuganda.ac.ug/blog will be migrated into this section.
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Gallery
Graduations, campus life and the community around the school.
Graduations
Every year the school gathers to send a new class into Uganda's media industry. These moments — the gowns, the families, the first job offers — are the reason UMCAT exists.
Campus Life
Practical classes, studio shoots, newsroom shifts and field assignments — this is where theory becomes real work, and where friendships and careers begin.
Cultural Events
Photos from the school's cultural events will be added here.
Contact us
We'd love to hear from you
Whether you're applying for the 2026/27 intake, asking about a programme, or arranging a visit, the admissions office is happy to help. Walk in at Kyadondo Road, call, or email — and regional students can reach our centres in Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale and Mbarara.
Kampala, Uganda
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
+256 414 383 616
School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Licensed and accredited by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.
Professionalism for Development — 1996–2026.
+256 393 215 051
+256 414 383 616
info@umcatuganda.ac.ug