In response to recent wild speculations surrounding the controversy of Busoga One 90.0 FM in Jinja City, Hon. Paul Mwiru has released a statement to address the baseless and malicious propaganda propagated by a section of haters.
As can be noted, Mwiru is an ardent and sober opposition politician (NUP) who believes in fairness, good governance, and democracy, freedom of speech and association and protection of human rights for all citizens.
Being a director of a radio station also makes him an investor who employs Ugandans, especially the locals and pays revenues through taxes to the country’s coffers.
In a strong-worded press release, Paul Mwiru, also a lawyer by profession, makes quick reference to a recent reckless defamatory social media story headlined “NUP’s Paul Mwiru Grabs Kyabazinga Radio Sparks Community Outrage as Mwiru Goes into Hiding.
He describes the story as baseless and malicious saying Busoga Kingdom has a well structured administration with a fully fledged information and communication portfolio which they could have used the spokesperson if there was any issue at all.
The directors of Busoga One 90.6 FM with the slogan ‘Omwoyo Wa Busoga’ (Spirit of Busoga) which started with a bang a few years ago, have for months now been locked in bitter wrangles particularly on money-related issues.
Background of Busoga One Radio Limited.
To understand the context, Mwiru gives the history of Busoga One Radio Limited and its relationship with Bit Technology Uganda Limited.
He says Bit Technology Uganda Limited was incorporated in 2013 with initial shareholders Ssewanyana Timothy Mpagi, Sembatya David, and Wasswa Arnest.
The press release adds that in 2015, Mwiru Paul and Kalwanyi John became shareholders, with Mwiru appointed as Deputy Managing Director and Kalwanyi as Secretary.
Transfer of Ownership and Management
The former MP Jinja East (who is sketching a come-back in 2026) explains that in 2015, Bit Technology Uganda Limited leased its frequency and broadcasting license to him (Paul Mwiru) for nine years.
The following year in 2016, he says Busoga One Radio Limited was incorporated as a single-member company, with Mwiru owning 100% shares.
That on 31st October,2016, Paul Mwiru passed a resolution as single member to transfer 66% shares in his company,44% shares to Saramugo Investments Limited,10% shares to HRH(individual capacity for free) and 2 shares to Paul Waiswa Mugoya and signed share transfer forms to that effect and Paul Mwiru remained with 44 shares.
He also says on 7th November, 2016 a notification of change of directors and secretary was filed appointing HRH William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope Gabula IV and Paul Waiswa Mugoya as co-directors alongside Paul Mwiru.
Mwiru also states that in 2021 Saramugo Investments U Ltd was retired from shareholding thereby causing the realignment of shareholding of Busoga One Radio Ltd as follows; 10 shares for Hon Paul Mwiru, 10 shares to Mugoya Paul Waiswa and 10 shares to HRH William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Nadiope Gabula IV (individual capacity) and 70 shares remained un allotted.
He says in March 2024, Mwiru Paul requested for a Shareholders meeting with an agenda item of causing an Adult in Busoga One Ltd following a tip of possible financial impropriety.
Mwiru also explains that the current dispute seems to have escalated from allegations of financial impropriety by a co-director Paul Mugoya Waisswa.
In his press release which we have obtained a copy, Mwiru says in March 2024, he requested a shareholders’ meeting to conduct an audit, which led to mediation efforts.
However, to his dismay, Mwiru claims Mugoya chose to create forums to circumvent the audit, sparking the recent propaganda which has spread like wildfire.
“…the audit report is scheduled to be out this week, the baseless and malicious propaganda is all intended to cultivate public sympathy as the Audit report comes out and should be treated with the contempt it deserves…”, reads Mwiru’s release.
Conclusively, Paul Mwiru’s detailed clarification on the issue of the Kyesiimira road Busoga One FM now puts to rest allegations of grabbing the radio from the Busoga Kingdom.
Celebrated Kampala City lawyer Peter Mukidi Walubiri has come in handy, thanks to another respectable daughter of the soil Proscovia Night Salaamu Musumba,(who convinced Walubiri)to mediate between the two brothers-turned foes to resolve the matter amicably.
As the audit report is forthcoming, commentators are hopeful that facts will be separated from fiction paving way for the radio whose majority presenters are seen as ever critical of the ruling NRM government to continue serving its audience.
Efforts to get comments from Paul Waiswa Mugoya hit a dead end as he declined but we managed to talk to one of his trusted pals Owek.Patrick Luganda who acknowledged the acrimony.
“…I have talked to him(Mugoya),he does not want to make any comment since the matter involves the name of the Kyabazinga,it’s the reason he has declined to give you his side of the story…”,Patrick Luganda said in a brief telephone interview with this reporter.
Counsel Patrick Luganda is one of the celebrated legal experts in Busoga where he is also serving as the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister/Attorney General Busoga Kingdom, a member of the Jinja City Land Board and features in dozens of other national and international bodies.
Why Are Ugandan Companies Prone to Conflicts?
Companies, (particularly in Uganda) with multiple shareholders and directors are prone to conflicts due to diverse interests, goals and perspectives.
Experts list divergent financial goals, conflicting risk tolerance, disagreement on company direction, competing agendas, differences in expertise and power struggles as some of the causes.
Some experts also attribute the problems to poor information sharing among directors on critical issues like finance, lack of clear procedures or inconsistent application, inadequate monitoring of management and company performance, mistrust and unresolved historical grievances.
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