Uganda’s top media giant, Vision Group, is set to terminate over 50 employees by December 2024, citing severe economic challenges. Senior management has reportedly alerted staff to the company’s financial woes, worsened by a struggling economy.
The conglomerate, known for outlets like *Bukedde* and *New Vision*, issued a stark profit alert for the six-month period ending December 31, 2024. CEO Don Wanyama confirmed the company expects significant losses, blaming a harsh business climate intensified by rising social media competition.
The turmoil traces back to 2020-2021, when President Yoweri Museveni forced out then-CEO Robert Kabushega. Security reports accused Kabushega of spotlighting National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine in government-aligned papers, allegedly to undermine Museveni’s administration. Kabushega defended the move as a sales tactic, but was compelled to resign and later transitioned to farming.
Post-Kabushega, Vision Group shuttered TV/radio stations and halted publications like *Bukedde ku Sunday* and *Rupiny*. NUP and Bobi Wine vanished from headlines, but the company’s fortunes continued to plummet. Critics argue the editorial shift alienated audiences, accelerating financial decline.
With layoffs looming and operations shrinking, Vision Group faces an existential battle. Analysts tie its struggles to political interference, shifting media consumption, and leadership instability, underscoring a stark fall from Uganda’s media dominance.
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