Dr. Dotto Paul Kuhenga, PhD

Dr. Dotto Paul Kuhenga is a distinguished academic, media professional, and communication expert, with extensive experience spanning academia, journalism, and communication consultancy. He holds a PhD in Climate Change Communication from the University of Dar es Salaam, with partial coursework and supervision from Makerere University in Uganda. His educational background also includes an MA in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University in South Africa, as well as an MA in Development Studies and a BA in Journalism from the University of Dar es Salaam. Currently, Dr. Kuhenga serves as the Head of Communication and Marketing Unit at the University of Dar es Salaam where he is responsible for managing all communication matters both within the university and with the public. In this role, he also serves as the official spokesperson for the institution. He is deeply involved in shaping the university's communication strategy, overseeing media relations, and facilitating effective communication between university management and the academic community. Dr. Kuhenga is also an accomplished  lecturer of Journalism and Media Studies at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Dar es Salaam. He teaches a variety of courses, including news writing and reporting, media and democracy, as well as mass media research. His expertise extends beyond teaching to being a recognised consultant in the fields of journalism, media studies, public relations, and development studies. His professional background includes over 15 years of experience as a print and broadcast journalist, working with reputable media organisations like The Citizen and Raia Mwema newspapers; as well as University of Dar es Salaam’s media outlets namely Mlimani Radio and TV and The Hill Observer Newspaper. He has also worked internationally, covering key events such as the United Nations Periodic Review Session in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2011. As a media consultant, Dr. Kuhenga has contributed to numerous projects, collaborating with organisations such as the Parliament of Tanzania, e-Government Authority (eGA), UNESCO-Tanzania, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (NACTVET), University of Dar es Salaam’s Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET), The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Tanzania Media Foundation (TMF), Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD), Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers (TUICO), The Thompson Reuters Foundation and the Land O’Lakes International Development. His consultancy work spans a range of topics, including media development, public relations strategies, and communication for social change. He also serves as a member in local and international professional bodies such as the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), the Climate Action Committee of the International Communication Association (ICA) and the Board of Directors of the Tech & Media Convergency (TMC), Tanzania. Dr. Kuhenga's research interests focus on print journalism practices, media and climate change, and the role of community media, especially community radio, in rural Africa. His research and publications have emphasized the importance of media in shaping public understanding of climate issues, particularly in Tanzania and the broader African context. Through his academic and professional work, Dr. Kuhenga has become a key figure in advancing media and communication studies, as well as their application in development and societal change.