The Nation Media Group in Uganda (NMGU) has announced that it will be laying off staff at the end of March as it pursues digital transformation.
In a notice, Tony Glencross, the managing director NMGU says: “…this new reality necessitates the re-engineering of NMGU in order to accelerate our digital transformation. On this journey, we intend to radically change our business model for all our media platforms (from traditional advertising to content-driven revenue with the objective of establishing leadership in the mobile/digital landscape in Uganda while exploring new revenue streams in the experiential and technology space.
This will require re-tooling and resourcing within the NMGU operation with relevant skill sets critical for success in the new business environment. Regrettably, it will also result in a reduction of our workforce effective Wednesday, March 31. 2021.”
He adds that the affected will receive specialized counselling, medical insurance cover until 30th June 2021, among other services.
NMGU includes; Daily Monitor, East African NTV Uganda, Spark TV KFM, Ennyanda and Ddembe FM.
Below is the full notice
To All Staff-NMG Uganda
RE:
Dear Colleagues, I trust you are keeping well and staying safe while observing the Ministry of Health COVID-I 9 prevention protocols.
dfcu Bank Partners with Jubilee Health to Launch BlueCare Health Insurance SolutionAs you are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused global uncertainty and serious challenges which have adversely impacted many businesses. Several companies have either substantially scaled down operations, re-engineered themselves or shut down completely due to the drastic decline in revenues. The media sector has not been spared by the pandemic and many media homes including NMGU have been severely impacted.
During this difficult period, management has implemented several cost-saving interventions to enable business continuity, ensure the sustenance of livelihoods of staff and their dependents and continue delivering services to our customers. However, in spite of these initiatives, business has continued to bear the brunt of the pandemic.
Further, this new reality necessitates the re-engineering of NMGU in order to accelerate our digital transformation. On this journey, we intend to radically change our business model for all our media platforms (from traditional advertising to content-driven revenue with the objective of establishing leadership in the mobile/digital landscape in Uganda while exploring new revenue streams in the experiential and technology space.
This will require re-tooling and resourcing within the NMGU operation with relevant skill sets critical for success in the new business environment. Regrettably, it will also result in a reduction of our workforce effective Wednesday, March 31. 2021.
This is an extremely difficult decision especially in view of the prevailing circumstances and the impact that it will have on those affected and their families. The exercise will therefore be carried out with utmost respect to our affected colleagues and in adherence to the Ugandan labour laws. We will also provide the necessary support to help the exiting staff manage this difficult transition.
We have made special arrangements for those affected to receive specialized counseling support. The affected staff will also receive medical insurance cover until 30th June 2021.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with your line manager or contact Human Resources Department
NMG has been laying off staff in big numbers across East Africa from 2018 due to decline in profits as with other publications because of a fall in newspaper circulation, declining advertising revenue and the emergence of social media platforms.
