Frank Walusimbi -the NTV Akawungezi Luganda bulletin popular anchor and weekend show -Tuwaye – fame has left the station after 15 years of service and it is reported he is eyeing a top job at rivals Buganda’s BBS Telefaniya.
Having joined NTV in December 2006 when the Nation Group that also owns Daily Monitor Publications Limited ventured into broadcasting , together with the likes of now UBC’s Maurice Mugisha , Fridah Nakazibwe , Josephine Karungi among other Ugandan TV stars -Walusimbi anchored his last bulletin on Thursday.
He said thus ; This is the last bulletin I am anchoring . Who knows in future God willing -whether I will make a return . Thank you for standing with me , with us .” Walusimbi has been credited for the high ranking of the Akawungezi Luganda bulletin because of his calm demeanor, being keen on detail, for factual reporting and rich Luganda vocabulary . He was also a good story teller -in a natural way .
He has since reflected on his 15 years journey at the station which was started at the time- maverick media executive -Conrad Nkutu led the National Group- Uganda team after a major breakaway from The government owned New Vision Group that saw top and middle level managers that included , JB Wasswa, Didas Bakunzi , Moses P. Sserwanga, Jerome Mukasa, Juliet Nabwire ,Senior Reporters Richard Mutumba , Grace Matsiko among others crossing over to boost the Daily Monitor titles.
Walusimbi stated ,” I was with Faridah Nakazibwe the very first day on air . We were all slim. But people loved us. We changed the news business. And we have been an example-when you mention NTV Akawungezi and NTV Tonight . That makes me proud.”
NTV succeeded after WBS TV -to stop the monopoly of national broadcaster – Uganda Broadcasting Corporation –(UBC) in Uganda’s media landscape. They have since been joined by other private TV stations that include Urban TV , BBS Telefaniya , NBS, TV West , Baaba TV among others .
