Sanyu FM is in the limelight after the station management decided to sack their entire staff for protesting pay cuts in the coronavirus hard hitting times.
The fired staff, that include some of Uganda’s most celebrated Radio personalities like James Onen alias Fat Boy, had been protesting a 25% pay cut that management had imposed on them without proper engagement.
However, some of the affected staff were still in possession of company property like social media accounts by the time of firing. Their social media manager as such is using the station’s social media platforms to announce their misfortunate plight to the entire world and seek justice.
“S.O.S. S.O.S. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY FIRED FOR A SIT DOWN STRIKE FOR PROTESTING A 25% PAY CUT WHILE WE WORK THIS IS NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF FAIR NEGOTIATION BETWEEN SANYU FM AND ITS STAFF! #SAVESANYUFM SHARE THIS!” The handler posted on Twitter.
They have further announced that they’re considering taking legal action against the station owner, Sudhir Rupharelia, and appealed to lawyers “who are not afraid to take on the tycoon” to get in touch with them for legal action.
The station have already announced comedian Patrick Idringi (Salvador) as a new host for their Breakfast Show. Surprisingly or rather not, this is not the first time that the station has fired protesting staff and hired a new lot altogether.
“In the 90s, Radio Sanyu (now SANYU FM) Presenters went on strike. Protesting low wages. Thomas Katto, the owner got rid of the entire lot. Most moved moved to CBS FM which had just been opened by Peter Sematimba.” BBC Presenter Alan Kasujja revealed.