Yesterday, March 9th 2017, we reported that Charles Odongtho the talkshow host of Frontline, one of the leading political talkshows in the country, airing on NBS Television had stepped down from hosting the show over an apparent toxic work environment.
Our investigation has been able to get hold of Odongtho’s actual resignation letter addressed to Mr. Kin Kariisa, the Chief Executive Officer of Next Media Group in which he details his points of fallout with the station’s management.
In the letter, copied to Paul Lwanga, the Next Media Head of Talent as well as fellow Frontliners- Ofwono Opondo and Nobert Mao, Odongtho complains of lack of support from management, “back stabbing” and “friendly fire”, issues that it appears Mr. Kariisa had been made aware of over the last two years.
His inaction on the issues, according to Odongtho, had caused a “lot of friction and tension” leading to “loss of trust and confidence” thus the resignation.
Here below is the letter in verbatim:
Saturday, March 7. 2020
Dear Mr. Kin Kaliisa,
CEO NEXT MEDIA.
RESIGNATION FROM NBS FRONTLINE NBS FRONTLINE
I have had deep, thoughts and reflection over the last few days and come to a decision that I cannot continue working with you as moderator of Frontline, under the current management arrangement of the show. I think our trust and confidence in each other have irretrievably broken down.
I no longer contribute enough to make me continue with the show!
How Stanbic Bank CFO Ronald Makata Blends Governance, Technology and Human Leadership to Drive PerformanceYou’ll recall the one-on-one meeting I had with you Mr Kin in 2016 in your office, immediately after the general elections, at which you requested me to come up with an idea of a competitive show to rival other existing, TV shows. You recall how you convinced me on the contributions you wanted me to bring to your television. At that meeting we also agreed on a number of professional journalism values a new show we start should have. You also requested me to suggest potential best talkers on the Ugandan political scene to start the show with, to which I suggested 7 names from which we chose the best: Hon Mao, Mr. Ofwono Opondo and Hon Matembe. That mix of panelists I believe is what has driven the Frontline towards the great success we have tasted the last 4 years at the NBS. To date the show has been variously named as the best and leading current affairs to show in the whole country.
I feel nothing but pride for the victory we won together as the Frontline team! May it flourish more!
Unfortunately however, over the last 2 years, a tendency, you are fully aware of internally began to develop leading to loss of trust and confidence in my contribution to the show. A lot of friction and tension developed recently. The work environment became toxic towards my contributions.
Needless to emphasize, that the work we do is often a sensitive undertaking for which someone in my position needs management support and not backstabbing and “friendly fire” from within.
In the circumstance therefore, I have opted, with immediate effect to step aside and free you and your most preferred team, to move on with the Frontline, minus any possible distraction from my contributions. More importantly, I don’t want to be viewed as the character blocking attempts by you to optimally utilise other preferred persons of interest. I hope I have contributed something, however small to making NBS a more recognisable brand across Uganda using the Frontline talk show. I hope the publics and fans of the Frontline that we all serve will appreciate that, my small contribution.
As a personal take, and for a journalist worth their salt, my biggest and most enduring pride that I will carry along, is the fact that from scratch, I dreamt of and initiated a debate idea that has created a tv brand worth the talk of town and the nation.
I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve my country, and through your NBS television, to contribute to major policy and political conversations in the country.
May God bless you and your team. Good luck!
Yours Sincerely,
Charles Odongtho (The Chief Frontliner)
