Viewers of NTV Uganda are up in ‘flames’ coercing the management to explain the whereabouts of Douglas Lwanga, the host of The Beat.
The Beat has been airing on the waves from 5pm to 6:30 with the presenter hosting local and international musicians and also giving a wide scope of what transpires in the entertainment industry.
However, a fortnight ago, Douglas disappeared from the screens prompting NTV fans to arouse curiosity over what happened and whether his disappearance was interim and would therefore return to present The Beat.
His replacements Crysto Panda and Sheila Gashumba kept telling viewers who bombarded them with queries that Douglas was on sick leave and would return upon recovery.
His comeback turned into the biblical ‘return of Jesus Christ’ and on Tuesday Douglas took to social media platforms to refute reports that he was fired although admitting that he is no longer a staff at Serena based TV station.
Trumpet News has exclusively established a source of Douglas’ woes that sparked off his sacking at NTV.
Big headed Employee
Our insider at the station reveal that Douglas had grown “wings” and had become unruly little did he know that he was a mere worker who would face exit anytime.
“He never listened to what his bosses wanted instead he thought he was bigger than the TV and would be begged to do his job,” said a staff at NTV.
Initially the concept of The Beat show was for the down market fan base, so that it could compete with other programs run by competitors at the same time.
The management thus recommended that Douglas should never host the ‘up town’ musicians but rather ‘Kadongo Kamu’ artistes.
“But he gave this directive a deaf ear, and kept hosting those singers. He was warned several times but expressed no interest,” added a worker at NTV who has been close him.
Purple Party
NTV learnt that Douglas was reaping a lot from Purple Party whereas he gives it free publicity while presenting his show.
Because of the massive coverage, Purple Party, NTV assumed was becoming bigger than The Beat show hinging on ‘free airtime’ and a horde of singer banned to appear on NTV.
“Douglas couldn’t stop hosting those musicians because he would manipulate them to singer freely on his Purple Party or pay them less,” said a pal.
An insider further said upon reviewing his performance, he was found wanting.
He was summoned by the administration but because ‘of his big head’ he absconded from duty protesting the employer’s directives.
With his delusional fantasy, Douglas thought the viewers would mount pressure on the management and he would be recalled but instead NTV decided to terminate his services.
Douglas has Thursday been unveiled at NBSTV as new worker.
It remains unclear what show he will present.
