Daniel Kalinaki, the General Manager, Editorial at Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, is set to leave his position, bringing to a close one of the most visible editorial careers at the Daily Monitor.
Multiple sources at the Namuwongo-based news organisation told Bbeg Media that Kalinaki has already informed some people of his decision to step down.
“He told me that he will be leaving,” one senior editor said on condition of anonymity because he did not want to jeopardize his relationship with Kalinaki.
In a communication to staff this afternoon, NMG said it had accepted Kalinaki’s request to “retire.”
NMG said Kalinaki’s career with them had been Illustrous.
We have been told that Kalinaki’s decision to “retire” followed pressure from top management at NMG in Nairobi after reports emerged that his private public relations firm, Zulu Media, had undertaken work for the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Daniel Kalinaki under scrutiny after his firm is linked to Shs 22bn ministry of Works ‘dubious’ deal
After reports that Kalinaki’s firm had been involved in the Shs 22 billion ‘dubious deal’, Nairobi is said to have opened investigations into the matter.
The alleged arrangement is said to have raised concerns about conflict of interest and breach of NMG’s editorial policy, given his influential newsroom role.
Sources said that since Kalinaki had served the group diligently for 28 years (since 1998), he was asked to “retire,” and the company will even hold a farewell party for him.
Kalinaki, in a phone call, reacted angrily to our story.
“I have never sued any journalist, but I will sue you people,” he threatened in a brief phone call.
But our impeccable sources at Namuwongo insisted that he had left under a cloud of controversy.
Kalinaki is one of Uganda’s most experienced journalists. He joined the Monitor in 1998 as a reporter while studying at Makerere University.
He steadily rose through the ranks from sports reporter to news editor to managing editor before being appointed General Manager, Editorial. He also worked as the Uganda Bureau Chief of The East African, a regional paper owned by the NMG.
Kalinaki has been a columnist and commentator on governance and public affairs, earning respect for his analytical writing.
Yet his people management skills are wanting, according to several sources and journalists who have worked with him. Some people even left the organisation.
His departure comes at a time when the newspaper is facing financial challenges. Last week, NMG decided to shut down Sunday Monitor and consolidate it into a single weekend edition.
Kalinaki’s exit will mark the end of a long chapter at Daily Monitor, where he played a central role in shaping editorial direction and mentoring a generation of journalists.
