Prominent radio presenter Robinah Mbabazi, popularly known as Bina Baibe, has relived her last moments on Ddembe FM describing the experience of sacking her while she was on air as “nasty.”
She was speaking to Ruth Kalibbala Bwanika, a former colleague at Ddembe, on Bwanika’s YouTube channel (see full video below). Baibe now works on Radio Four.
Ddembe FM was closed in December 2023 by Nation Media after the media group said it was not making money
Excerpts from their conversation:
Bina Baibe:
“They sacked us in English but they had hired us in Luganda.”
“They gave me my letter in an envelope. I asked the HR for a recommendation letter [which would enable me get another job] and he told me they would give me a letter which has never come.”
“I was sacked when I was live on air. I was so shocked, I did not see it coming I was on air. During a commercial break, I went out of the studio. I was informed in the corridors that I had been sacked. I did not return on air. I really put in hard work in my job.”
“I had passion, I had sponsors. God is good. He closes one window and opens a window. Now I have got so many opportunities. There is a company that I do some promotional work which pays me some money. I only put posts on Facebook.”
“I felt bad about the manner we were sacked, But the one who sacks you opens another path for you. We were chased like goats. Ddembe FM is not my grandfather’s property. I have since accepted. When I went to see my mother and she saw me holding a brown envelope she knew something was not right. I told her I had been sacked. She asked me why was I sacked? I did not have an answer. Even the HR told me I had not done anything wrong.”