By Karim Were
Paul Lwanga, once regarded as one of the most influential figures within Next Media and a trusted lieutenant of CEO Kin Kariisa, has officially exited the media company after a steady decline in influence that culminated in his departure this month.
Lwanga’s exit closes a chapter on a career that saw him rise from Human Resources Officer in 2014 to become one of the most powerful executives in the organisation. During his tenure, he served as Chief People Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and later General Manager of Hillcom, a subsidiary of Next Media.
For years, Lwanga was viewed as Kariisa’s closest ally and the chief implementer of management decisions. His influence stretched far beyond his official job title, with many employees seeing him as a central figure in personnel decisions and internal operations.
However, sources say his standing within the organisation began to weaken following a series of management changes and restructuring initiatives that gradually reduced his role in the company’s decision-making hierarchy.
The first major sign of trouble came when he was dropped from Next Media’s Top Management Team during a restructuring exercise. He was later moved from Hillcom, where he reportedly struggled to meet ambitious revenue targets, and reassigned to lead Next Media Foundation, the company’s charitable arm.
Many insiders interpreted the transfer as a demotion rather than a promotion. The foundation has maintained a relatively low public profile since its establishment, further fueling speculation that Lwanga’s influence within the organisation had significantly diminished.
While reports have linked his dismissal to an alleged incident involving pork being brought onto premises shared with Muslim-affiliated organisations under the Next Media umbrella, Lwanga has denied the claims. He insists his departure was planned and unrelated to the allegations, maintaining that his assignment at the foundation was nearing completion and that he had intended to leave by the end of June.
Nevertheless, sources within the organisation say the incident may have accelerated a process that was already underway, describing it as the final development in a relationship that had been deteriorating over time.
At his peak, Lwanga was a feared and respected figure whose authority shaped the careers of many employees. Today, his departure marks the end of an era for a man who was once considered untouchable within the halls of Next Media.
His exit serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in corporate power structures, where influence can be as temporary as it is formidable.
