Joseph Kigozi has been given marching orders by Next Media, nearly 15 years after he joined the company as a sports analyst before climbing the ranks to become deputy CEO.
In a communication to staff today, Next Media said Kigozi will now become an outside “consultant” , an ambiguous role.
But sources close to Kigozi told Bbeg Media he is likely to join his wife in the US soon where he could find work.
In the communication, Next Media appeared to give Kigozi a soft landing with Kin Kariisa, the group CEO, saying he is going to “work with us from outside”.
To soften the blow further, the company intends to hold a farewell party for Kigozi this Friday at Mestil Hotel.
Yet we understand the relationship between Kigozi and Kariisa had soured in the last two years.
In fact, it had been suggested that Kigozi be “demoted” to the Marketing Department, a decision that he considered an insult according to insiders.
Instead, he opted to leave and for the last three weeks, he has stayed away from Next Media.
Kigozi in a WhatsApp message sent to staff said: “I am incredibly proud of the impact we have made together.”
We reported last week that Kigozi’s future at Next Media hangs in balance after his position as deputy CEO was scrapped.
Kigozi told us that Next Media would make a communication about his future this week and it has.
*Wait for our special analysis on “How Kin Kariisa fell out with Kigozi and Dalton Kaweesa tomorrow.”
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