Barbara Kaija


Barbara Kaija is a Ugandan journalist and educator, who serves as the editor in chief of the Vision Group of newspapers, including the English daily publication the New Vision.

Background and education

She was educated at Makerere University, Uganda's oldest public university, first graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She followed that with a Master of Arts degree in education, also at Makerere. Later, she obtained a Master of Arts in journalism and media studies, from Rhodes University, in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Practical Journalism, obtained in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom, under the sponsorship of the Thomson Foundation.

Career

Her tenure at Vision Group spans over 25 years. In 1992, she was hired as a sub-editor trainee. Over time, she was given more responsibilities and rose to the position of Deputy Features Editor. Later she became the Features Editor, serving in that capacity for ten years. She was appointed deputy Editor-in-Chief in 2006 and she became Editor-in-Chief in 2010. In her current capacity, she oversees journalistic standards and strategy of all media platforms of the Vision Group. When she assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief in 2010, she became the first Ugandan woman to become a chief editor of a Ugandan major newspaper in the history of the country.

Personal life

Barbara Kaija is married. She is a born-again Christian and her religious beliefs strongly guide her life.

Other considerations

Barbara Kaija has a passion for journalism and commitment to teaching others. She has specialized in "development journalism", in which she has taught and supervised many Ugandan journalist. In 2012, she was awarded the National Jubilee Award, in recognition of her body of work. In March 2011, the Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor, part of the Aga Khan-owned Nation Media Group, named her one of "Today's Uganda Top Fifty Women Movers".