Sweepers of the Mailo-Mbili based new radio in Jinja City are still slept on and remain mute in the desktops of the on-air studio after resolutions of the station are still futile.
The station we are talking about occupies 89.8 FM which has played plain music without neither a sweeper nor mention of its name for over a fortnight.
We have established that authorities and stakeholders of the radio are yet to resolve the favourite name after a number of names are being proposed to grab the attention of listeners in the Eastern region and around.
It is also believed that the station has until now failed to take off because of lack of staff.
“The station is still spotting staff to be snatched from the already established media houses in Jinja. Some guys chickened out when you guys (Eye Media) published a story where you named most of the presenters who had agreed to join us,” one insider intimated to this publication.
Pressure and stress mounted the generals undertaking the effectiveness of the project when the radio hit the airwaves recently, playing cool and melodious music with out any sweepers, and jingles teasing and announcing the new “thing” coming.
In the frequency 89.8, it now confirms that the new radio is only killing the name and location of Mukono FM to Mailo-Mbili (Jinja), a signal that the Forum for Democratic Change secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, alleged to be the proprietor, procured the religious Mukono FM.
Suggested names include Bridge FM, Kyabazinga FM, Nile FM, Ssegwanga FM, and Smile FM
Preparations had been due with interesting sweepers announcing “Bridge FM” being voiced by the popular Busoga longtime singer, Geobless, from the Nizam Road based Ban Records studio.
Huge sums of money was pocketed by the singer for job.
To do the job, Geobless was recommended by the radio’s anticipated Programmes Director (PD) John Odwori whose official signing also remains controversial.
The deal to have Odwori onair had been successfully sealed, but things turned round. They wanted him to announce his “goodbye” last Friday, which was in vain when he reported for his usual morning show at Busoga one FM.
According to a reliable source who is a close friend to the man in claim, Odwori wants only to be heard by his huge audience on the microphone of the new electronic device.
It is said that the black man from Buyengo in Jinja district who is afraid of his funds in the Busoga one SACCO shall be hosting a morning press review between 5:30am and 6:30am.
“He is ready to move on, and his bosses at the Nile Bridge based radio station have no problem with anybody and him. The new radio’s name still challenges the authorities because the name “Bridge” proposed by Ndhoga Ibrahim was only going to compete with a mere programme “The Bridge Olutindo” at Busoga one fm,” said the source.
Notably, negotiations with the Kyabagu councillor in Njeru municipality Hassan Muwanga also still remains unfinished as he asked for huge sums of money as signing fee which the group paused a bit in search for the money.
To make a superb newsroom, reports indicate that the seasoned Kiira FM’s Chief Editor, Ivan Lubega, is undertaking the recruitment of upcountry news reporters to feed the radio with frequent local stories.
Baba FM’s Ibrahim Shamiru Byakika had made a deal with his former station NBS FM who expected him to start presenting on Monday March 4, 2024 but the man from Iganga made a U-turn at the very last minute and decided not to appear because he made up his mind that the Mailo Mbili new station is his next home.
Already Byakika and others big presenters on different Jinja radio stations attend Mailo Mbili secret meetings as they prepare to shock to their current bosses the day they will start working.
Meanwhile Ibrahim Ndhoga continues to defend the new station and painting it in good colours to whoever pays attention.
Ndhoga has recently silenced his successor at Busoga One, Rogers Mbajjwe, who substituted him (Ndhoga) in the vibrant evening show “Ebyekusifu” which showcases the current affairs.
Ndhoga accuses Mbajjwe for feeding relevant information about him to the WhatsApp user Dr Mustapha Kisambira, who has repeatedly exposed the dirty games of the Bugweri local leader (Ndhoga) on social media platforms.
It is worth noting that this publication is neither aimed at fighting nor belittling and invading into the privacy of any individuals and any activities in the radio industry, but only implementing and performing its role of information.
