Roger: Radio’s Romeo hangs the mic for new horizons

Last week, the world marked radio day, highlighting the changes it has gone through. One of those changes are the presenters. Today, we bring you one who has been on radio for almost 20 years.

One night, Roger Mugisha opened up to the world about Sharon Mazowe, his girlfriend then. Talking about their affair was bringing private matters to the public and not many people could do it at the time.

With the fame (and notoriety), Mugisha rebranded and became ‘The Shadow,’ a title that allowed the world see his other side as an entertainer. His radio journey began at Sanyu in July 1996, took him to Capital Radio and then to Kfm. However, he is leaving the microphone for the business side of things.

Roger Mugisha started out as a radio presenter at the age of 19, on July 26, 1996. He had just joined Makerere University to pursue a degree in Mass Communication (Journalism). He was friends with one of the most popular radio station radio presenters at the time, Rasta Rob MC (Robert Ogwal).

At the time, presenters were celebrities. He was Rob’s bag boy. Little did he know that a day would come when events would turn in his favour. Mugisha had met Rob at Peter Sematimba’s Dungeon Studios, a top recording studio then. Rob got Mugisha into Sanyu, and on air.

He utilised the opportunity by cutting out a niche as a “love doctor” on the Love Zone, with his signature deep, romantic voice that made him a gem of nightlife radio as he soothed and nourished hearts and souls with charm and poise.

Life would never be the same again for this university student. Fame, money and women came his way. Soon he picked on a new identity, as “The Shadow”, head of a notorious group of 15 girls, ‘Shadow’s Angels’ that gave nightlife a new entertainment package.
Photos of him from that time are as interesting as they come. He was the Romeo of entertainment. He then moved on to Capital FM in 1999, furthering his quest for fame. On March 2, with his infamous angels, Mugisha announced that they were now born again, and were now following Jesus Christ, as their saviour. This was at Kansanga Miracle Centre where the group was disbanded.

He took time off and in 2005 he joined KFM which had just rebranded from Monitor FM. He was not the same cool presenter he had been during the late night show. The mornings went, one after another, as he headlined D’Mighty Breakfast on KFM.

Transitioning from nightlife to a morning show was no easy fete particularly for the fame he had gained and the brand he had created of himself as “The Shadow”. Radio audiences and his fans still hungered for the “naughty boy”. Getting used to the “sober Shadow”, or Roger, seemed like a grudging trade-off.

After 10 years at KFM, Mugisha takes a break from radio, explaining that he feels “burnt out”. He takes on a new role at Monitor Publications Limited (MPL), the parent company of KFM, Dembe FM and Daily Monitor newspaper.
He is taking on the mantle of business development manager (BDM), a whole new ball game for the radio presenter. He is a chartered marketer from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK. Mugisha talks about his new role, time on radio and his plans in his designation.

What was your reaction when you were informed of your new designation?
It was not really a shocker because I was already playing a dual role of being on air and the business side of things
I knew at some point I wanted to take a career sabbatical from radio since I had hosted D’Mighty Breakfast for 10 consecutive years

What has the induction been like?
I have one of the best managers you could wish for. Agnes Nguna has been so supportive in the induction process which is ongoing because MPL is a large organisation and there is a lot of departmental induction to be done including Kfm, Dembe FM, digital and the Daily Monitor newspaper.

Who is Agnes Nguna?
She is the General Manager- Commercial for Nation Media Group

What does the induction specifically entail?
Induction includes access to corporate finance and databases, processes and procedure, so I have been meeting with business managers of the various strategic business units.)

What is first year plan in your new position?
I am going to work on strengthening strategic partnerships

How are you planning to achieve this?
Monitor is a big media brand that enjoys a heritage of being an independent media house. I intend to achieve this by offering additional value to long term customers. Unfortunately the ‘how’ is a trade secret and I am not at liberty to elaborate.

You have been on radio since 1996, which is pretty much the only career you have done. Won’t you miss being on air?
Radio will always be a part of my life. I will occasionally return for exclusives but I am not sure if I will do that anytime soon.
You are joining MPL as a business development manager at a time when the heart of the business, print media is faced with challenges of declining numbers it has lost to other media channels and outlets, how are you going to navigate past such challenges?
That is the inconvenient truth. The same question would be asked why despite the availability of online banking people still queue up in the banks. I believe that the numbers will go down over the next couple of years because of the alternatives in distribution technology. However, there is still a huge space for the hard copy as we know it. The two will successfully co-exist.

What needs to be done from your point of view as a business developer to increase numbers?
Newspapers are consumable. It starts with acknowledging the changes in the end user read “consumer”. Previously the consumer was a news reader. Now we have a ‘modified consumer of information’, so strategically speaking, the focus should be on satisfying this ‘all round multimedia enabled’ customer to appreciate the hard copy. The tactics are classified information.
What should newspapers or journalists do differently to stay afloat?
Social media is quite impulsive and erratic and the demonstration of quality ethical journalism is going to be a major lifeline for the newspaper.
Well, looking back at your career as a radio presenter, what have been your highlights?
I do not know where to start. It started at Sanyu FM in 1996 through to 1999 where I was the ‘Love Doctor’ who set the template for late night radio here. I then moved to Capital FM between 1999 and 2004 where I did the Mugisha & Mugisha show, with Allan the Cantankerous. I also did the Coca Cola Hot 7@ 7. In 2005 I moved to KFM where I have presented the D’Mighty Breakfast with Aisha Alibhai and later on Mable Twegumye (Precious TM) and Chris Obore.

Are there particular moments that have stood out over the years?
Honestly those are so many. I need to sit down and think through them but that is a story for another day.
What is your general comment on the radio landscape in Uganda?
Radio has lost the spark of the 1990s. Most radio stations are programing scientifically and completely ignoring the core of ‘companionship’. There are no more risky stunts of the 90’s. It is time checks and commercial mentions at the expense of crazy fun. There is need for a booster dose of boldness to entertain.
Do you mean every radio station has lost that spark?
Most radios are treating radio talent like it is a white collar job. But on the whole, most commercial radios have lost their spark.

In your opinion, what is the right way to do it?
Abnormal people hypnotise normal people. The polite word is ‘entertainment. Characters that spiced radio now sound too formal. When searching for real talent, Mass Communication academic degrees should not be the prerequisite. Ability to communicate in a captivating manner coupled with real life experience is essential in finding talent. I am glad that in my 20 years I discovered many talented people.
Who are some of the people you discovered?
Ramesh, Olanya Colombus, Uncle Kabogoza, to mention but a few.
Don’t you think you lost that spark when you left your slots as a love zone gem to sober day presentation?
I did not exclude myself from the criticism. Like footballers, a coach can play you anywhere; midfield, central defence etc.
There is a coach playing you anywhere but there is you shining as a player in certain positions...
I was hired to do breakfast on KFM, not love zone.
Are you saying you took up a job and slot where your heart was not passionate about?
I can do all shows on radio but like you said the night was my cupcake.
So didn’t you feel lost and dragging in a show that did not let you find your feet and true self?
I was trained to do all shows but I had a preference.
Of the presenters your have worked with, who left a mark on you?
Allan the Cantankerous (Allan Mugisha- RIP)
What was unique about him?
He was radio’s first comedian in Uganda.
How did he impact on you as a co-presenter?
He was the most talented and intelligent radio presenter. He was also the most difficult to work with.
How difficult was he?
When he was drunk, it was difficult to deal with him.
Who is Roger away from the public figure?
I am an extrovert. I am a person who does things for others to the point of neglecting self. Sometimes family suffers.

What kind of family man are you
I love children and they are my greatest joy.
How many children do you have?
I have three boys.

Are you dating?
Yes I am.

What is her name?
She is called Sheebah Nassali.

How long have you been seeing her?
It is now two years.
When are you fully committing to her?
Man, I do not like speaking about dates. From the past I have learnt that there is bad luck in mentioning dates.

Your parting shot…
It is always good to re-invent yourself. It is something good.

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