This is strange but true. Mulengera news website has obtained credible information that an ISO team, supervised by Gen Salim Saleh, has finalized a plan to trim the wings of Vision Group flamboyant CEO Robert Kabushenga to size. What exists as Vision Group today will, most likely this very year, be merged with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and the revamped Uganda Publishing & Printing Corporation (UPPC) in Entebbe to become one very big media conglomerate under government ownership.
The very big government corporation will also operate under a new employment structure meaning that, even if he is so lucky and gets retained, Robert Kabushenga will most likely not retain his current position as Chief Executive.
This is part of the broader strategy to rationalize operations of government parastatals, agencies and thereby eliminate duplicity of roles and wastage of resources. The report, recommending this merger, was authored by a team of 12 eminent citizens that was put together by Gen Saleh closely working with former Minister Henry Banyenzaki.
The team comprised of lawyers, economists, security operatives, two MPs and a former Minister. With exception of Kabushenga’s Vision Group, the other two entities are in turmoil and limping on the death bed due to mismanagement occasioned by previous administrations thereof. Unverified reports show that Kabushenga has gradually been weakened by false accusations many wanabe babes and city extortionists have been making against him and that his former protégé Simon Kaheru is a top contender in the race to replace him as CEO of the broadened corporation.
UPPC has always existed as the ill-prepared competitor of Vision Group when it comes to commercial printing. The proposed Saleh-backed merger is consistent with line Minister Frank Tumwebaze’s original plan to merge the three into one powerful entity.
