50 journalists trained to improve air pollution reporting

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Efforts to address the air pollution challenge are also focusing on strengthening public awareness through the media.

On Friday, March 27, approximately 50 journalists from various media houses underwent training at City Hall, which was aimed at improving reporting on air quality and its effects.

The training brought together journalists from print, radio, television, and digital platforms, equipping them with skills to interpret air quality data and produce accurate, compelling, and solution-oriented stories.

Participants were taken through key topics, including the basics of air pollution, data interpretation, and responsible reporting. The programme also included a field visit to an air quality monitoring site, alongside a press briefing on the current state of air quality in Kampala and ongoing mitigation efforts.

Speaking during the training, Dr Alex Ndyabakira, the District Medical Officer for Makindye Division, described air pollution as a pressing health crisis.

“Air pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health emergency,” he said.

He emphasised the critical role of the media in raising awareness and influencing behaviour change.

“By equipping journalists with the right tools, we are investing in informed reporting, strengthened accountability, and long-term positive behaviour change,” Dr Ndyabakira added.

He noted that the training is part of broader efforts to address air pollution, including a policy dialogue scheduled for April 30, 2026, which will bring together media practitioners, policymakers, and technical experts to elevate air quality as a national priority.

Journalists who attended the training welcomed the initiative, saying it had enhanced their understanding of the issue and its impact on communities.

Shabibah Nakirijja, a multimedia journalist, said the training had empowered the media to better inform the public.

“Being that media is a voice for the voiceless, this training has helped the media get information on the dangers of air pollution,” she said.

She noted that data presented during the training showed that households contribute significantly to air pollution, largely due to the use of charcoal and firewood.

“I will use my platform to create awareness about the dangers of using charcoal and firewood, which have been revealed from the data to be the most dangerous regarding air pollution and our health,” Nakirijja stated.

New Vision journalist Juliet Waiswa said the training revealed critical links between air pollution and non-communicable diseases.

“I have learned a lot, for instance, I did not know that air pollution fuels non-communicable diseases, like if someone has asthma and is in a place which has a lot of air pollution, this can lead to their death,” she said.

She added that she was surprised to learn that Kawempe records some of the worst air quality levels in Kampala.

“I also did not know that Kawempe has the worst air quality in Kampala, that it’s the most polluted area in the city,” she said, attributing this to unpaved roads, congestion, and informal settlements.

Ronnie Mayanja, a radio reporter, said the scale of the crisis was alarming.

“There is clearly little knowledge within the community about the dangers of air pollution; this is why it is important to create awareness about it,” he noted.

City authorities, led by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), say the planned expansion of monitoring stations and ongoing engagement with the media are part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, strengthen public awareness, and drive coordinated action among stakeholders to safeguard public health.