Daniel Kalinaki, the General Manager for Editorial at Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, has come under public scrutiny after a company linked to him was named among beneficiaries of a controversial Shs22 billion government deal.
The deal, awarded by the Ministry of Works and Transport, involves consultancy services for the design and supervision of Uganda’s motor vehicle registration system. Questions have been raised following revelations that Zulu Media Limited, a private firm owned by Kalinaki and his wife, Sheila Kulubya, is part of the project.
According to records from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Zulu Media was incorporated on October 29, 2014. Kalinaki owns 99 percent of the company, as indicated in the firm’s Beneficial Owners’ documents.
The issue was first brought to public attention by photographer and social media activist Andrew Natumanya (X handle: @NinyeTabz), and has since sparked heated debate online.
Official records citied by our website show that the contract was awarded on March 15, 2022, to Tiscon Consultancy, a joint venture. One of Tiscon’s partners is Integrated Transport Solutions (ITS), where Zulu Media holds a 20 percent stake.
Other shareholders in ITS include city lawyer Collins Rugaba, businesswoman Annette Kobusingye, and South African businessman Vorster Johannes Alwyn.
Sources familiar with the project say Zulu Media was tasked with running public awareness campaigns, handling publicity and media buying, and managing branding and communication related to the vehicle registration system. However, it remains unclear how much the company has been paid so far.
Concerns have also been raised about how the contract was awarded. Critics point out that Tiscon Consultancy was registered on June 7, 2021—just four months before the ministry advertised the consultancy services. There are also claims that the Shs22 billion contract sum may have been inflated.
The name of Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works, has featured prominently in the discussion. Natumanya alleges that Katushabe influenced the awarding of the deal, though efforts to get his comment were unsuccessful.
Kalinaki’s involvement has triggered debate within the media fraternity, given his senior editorial role at Nation Media Group. NMG’s editorial policy strongly emphasizes integrity and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Part III of the policy states that journalists and editors must conduct themselves in ways that avoid both real and perceived conflicts of interest.
“If a senior editor is linked to a company benefiting from government contracts especially in a ministry regularly covered by his newsroom that raises serious ethical questions,” said a senior journalist who has previously worked with Kalinaki, speaking anonymously.
The journalist added that the concern is not only about possible wrongdoing, but also about public confidence in editorial independence.
So far, there is no evidence that Kalinaki has influenced coverage of the Ministry of Works and Transport in the Daily Monitor or other NMG platforms.
Kalinaki has served in senior roles at Nation Media Group for over two decades, making the matter particularly sensitive for the company. Observers say NMG now faces a reputational test, as allegations linking a top editor to a controversial government deal could erode public trust if not handled with transparency.
As public debate continues, attention remains fixed on how both Kalinaki and Nation Media Group will address the concerns raised.
Stay tuned for more more updates on this developing story.
