Next Media Services, which owns NBS TV and Sanyuka TV among other multimedia brands, has spoken out on after former employee Andrew Natumanya aka Ninye Tab (and formerly Tabz ku Camera) leaked what he claimed was a list showing staff salaries at the Naguru-based conglomerate.
The leaked salary structure sparked debate, majorly on two issues. First, Ugandans online quickly pointed out how Canary Mugume, a young reporter and news anchor, was earning way above senior colleagues like Samson Kasumba and Simon Kaggwa Njala.
The latter, for example, has been in the media for many years and his journalism has been tested over the years. But figures released by Andrew Natumanya aka Ninye Tabz indicate that Canary Mugume earn higher than Kasumba and Njala, both of whom are old enough and experienced to supervise him.
According to Ninye Tabz’s figures, Canary Mugume earns Shs 6,310,000 per month, Samson Kasumba gets Shs 4,695,383 every month and that Simon Kaggwa Njala smiles to the bank for his Shs 1,787,691 package.
As debate on this issue raged, some argued that one’s age and experience may not necessary be the only factor in determining how much he or she earns since there are clearly other factors such as one’s bargaining power and skills.
This group pointed out that unlike in government where certain academic qualifications and experience may see one bundled into a certain salary scale, in the private sector people earn according to their bargaining skills – and that in some really interesting cases, some supervisors earn less than those they supervise!
Second, judging by the figures reportedly earned by their favorite TV stars and other media personalities, Ugandans online observed how poorly the Ugandan media pays.
Ninye Tabz has later pulled down the lists from his social media handles after Next Media Services boss Kin Kariisa pleaded with him. But harm was already done since the lists had been saved and have continued to be shared online.
Addressing Andrew Natumanya aka Ninye Tabz as “son,” Kariisa wondered, “what’s got you enraged?” He told the former National Unity Platform (NUP) digital manager, “Please hold off. I’ll listen to your concerns as soon as I get back.”
In a statement, Next Media Services said the leaked salary structure was fake. The media group vowed to protect the privacy of its staff. “We are aware of a post containing alleged salary information of our staff. This information is inaccurate. Protecting our people’s privacy is a top priority, and our systems are designed to prevent such leaks,” it said.
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