Sanyu FM presenters who had gone on a three days’ strike over a salary cut related to performance of the station during the Covid-19 lockdown have been shown the exit door.
News of the strike started making rounds on social media with listener wondering why Uganda’s oldest FM station was playing music without presenters as is the norm with their broadcasting format.
Tycoon Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia whose Ruparelia Group owns Sanyu FM confirmed the presenters’ exit. “They decided to go on strike contrary to their contract, thus terminating it themselves,” Sudhir told Matooke Republic.
“The station only managed 50 per cent of its usual revenue during the lockdown and we asked staff to accept a 25 per cent salary cut, but they decided to go on strike,” he said.
“It is now time for new blood,” Sudhir said.
“21 year. The Ride is over,” James Onen “Fatboy” who has been the flagship presenter of the station, co-hosting The Breakfast Show posted on his social media pages this evening, confirming his exit.
Onen posted an hour after comedian Patrick Salvado had posted on his Facebook wall that he is the new host of the breakfast show.
“Let’s kick off with a bang tomorrow, tune in for awesome mornings. It’s a date from 6-10am,” Salvado posted.
Having hit the airwaves in 1993, Sanyu FM is the oldest privately owned FM station in the country. The airwaves are now crowded with over 200 radio stations. Sanyu had fallen in ratings and was no longer occupying its top spot. Analysts say this is a good time for the station to rebrand and take up 88.2’s spot at the top.