Kampala International University (KIU) student Esther Owarimpa has won the Best Photo Feature Award at the 2025 Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) Awards, held on Sunday, December 14.
The annual awards recognise outstanding student journalists and alumni participating in the National Newsroom Contest, one of East Africa’s most competitive training platforms for emerging media talent.
Owarimpa’s win was KIU’s only award at this year’s ceremony, marking a rare moment for the university, which has consistently dominated the contest in previous years. It was the first time since 2022 that KIU failed to secure multiple major awards.
Speaking after receiving the accolade, Owarimpa described the moment as both humbling and motivating.
“It’s a huge honour, but also a big responsibility. KIU has a reputation for being a superpower, and there was a lot of pressure on all of us to deliver. Bringing home the only award means I was able to keep our flag flying high,” she said.
Owarimpa, who also serves as President of the Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), said the recognition reflects the depth of talent within KIU’s media community.
“This win proves that KIU students have an X-factor that sets us apart. I hope it inspires my fellow students to keep pushing, because we definitely belong at the top,” she added.
Having participated in the National Newsroom Contest since August 2023, Owarimpa said the award has boosted her confidence and reshaped her perspective on photojournalism.
“As a student, you enter these competitions hoping to learn and just show what you can do. Actually winning is an incredible confidence boost. I focused on capturing emotion, and I think the judges saw the passion and effort in my work,” she said.
She noted that the recognition has shifted photography from a casual interest to a serious career path.
“I used to see photography as just a hobby, but now I’m looking at the world through a lens of possibilities,” she said.
Other KIU students also posted strong performances at the awards. Kenneth Rubatsimbira finished first runner-up in the Best English News Reporter category, while Jean Ebosiri secured first runner-up for Best Fact Checker.
With the awards concluded, Owarimpa and her fellow winners are now eligible to apply for the Media Challenge Fellowship, a six-month intensive multimedia training programme designed to prepare top student journalists for professional newsrooms.
