Canon Partners with Makerere University to Cultivate Uganda’s Next Generation of Visual Storytellers
Through hands-on workshops, journalism mentorship, and virtual film school access, the initiative aims to empower youth and fortify creative education as Canon Central and North Africa celebrates a decade of operations.
In KAMPALA, Uganda, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) has launched a strategic collaboration with Uganda’s prestigious Makerere University. The partnership embeds specialized Canon Academy Photo & Video programs directly into the academic landscape, offering students immersive, practical training across photography, filmmaking, and journalism. Alongside live instruction, participants gain access to the Canon Academy Video platform, the brand’s interactive virtual film school.
Coinciding with CCNA’s upcoming 10-year operational milestone, the initiative highlights Canon’s deep commitment to youth development, educational equity, and the long-term growth of Africa’s visual storytelling industry.
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Storytellers
“We are proud to mark ten years of CCNA by investing directly in the future of African creativity,” stated Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa. “Partnering with Makerere University lets us share the wealth of knowledge within the Canon Academy. By providing the tools, technical skills, and mentorship necessary to craft powerful visual narratives, we are supporting these students as they step into professional roles in media and digital content creation.”
Enhancing Academic Excellence with Practical Experience
The collaboration deepens an established relationship between Canon and Makerere University, which was founded in 1922 and stands as one of the continent’s premier institutions for media and communication studies. By blending rigorous academic coursework with industry-standard, hands-on masterclasses, the program ensures students leave the university fully prepared for a fast-evolving creative job market.
Dr. Nakiwala Aisha Sembatya, Chair of the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere, praised the alignment: “This partnership gives our students direct exposure to industry leaders and real-world workflows. Integrating Canon’s world-class training platforms elevates our curriculum and ensures our graduates are highly competitive in the media and creative sectors.”
A Closer Look at the Educational Curriculum
The collaboration features a diverse lineup of specialized training sessions and workshops:
- Media Ecosystem Masterclass: Local journalists and media professionals will join sessions led by Canon trainer Elayne Okaya, exploring advanced photo and video workflows using state-of-the-art imaging technology.
- Camera Innovation & Content Creation: Led by Elayne Okaya, this workshop provides students with practical demonstrations and technical insights into Canon’s latest tools built specifically for digital creators.
- Journalism & Ethics Sessions: Certified trainer Miriam Watsemba will guide two dedicated workshops focusing on visual storytelling techniques, contemporary reporting best practices, and media ethics.
- Virtual Film School Integration: Educational Programmes Manager Katie Simmonds will introduce students to the Canon Academy Video platform, unlocking structured online modules and professional certification tracks.
- Basic Filmmaking Bootcamp: A comprehensive three-day course hosted by Elayne Okaya covering the core pillars of cinema production—including camera movement, narrative structure, and set techniques—utilizing native Canon gear.
Investing in Africa’s Creative Economy
As Africa’s cultural and creative sectors experience explosive growth, the demand for structured, practical talent pipelines has never been higher. By matching technical expertise with real equipment and mentorship, the initiative helps young creatives build the confidence required to thrive.
This project operates under the umbrella of Canon’s broader Miraisha Programme, an education-first ecosystem designed to foster self-sustaining careers in the visual arts across Africa. Rooted in the corporate philosophy of Kyosei, living and working together for the common good, Canon’s decade of investment continues to lay a strong foundation for the continent’s future cultural architects.
About Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA): Formed in 2016 as a strategic division of Canon Middle East FZ LLC (a subsidiary of Canon Europe), CCNA manages sales and marketing operations across 44 African countries with a team of over 100 professionals. Operating on the African continent for over 15 years via regional partners, Canon is dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative imaging tech tailored to the fast-evolving African marketplace. Driven by the philosophy of Kyosei, CCNA prioritizes sustainable business models that reduce environmental footprints while amplifying human creativity. Learn more at www.Canon-CNA.com
SOURCE: Canon
