Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda has announced that Daniel Kalinaki, General Manager – Editorial, will retire on April 1, 2026, concluding a journalism career that spans over three decades.
In a memo to staff, NMG Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa confirmed that Kalinaki’s request for retirement had been accepted, praising his contributions to the Daily Monitor and the wider Ugandan media landscape.
“Daniel’s retirement is richly deserved, and we wish him the best in his future endeavours,” Nsibirwa wrote, noting that an appointment for new leadership will be announced in due course.
Kalinaki joined Daily Monitor in 1998 after his previous employer, The Crusader newspaper, closed, has worked in almost all sections of the paper -- sports, photography, editing, news reporting, a columnist, features, managing editor and general manager.
He became News Editor in 2003 and, in 2008, at just 28 years old, was promoted to become the publication’s youngest Managing Editor. He also led the Kampala Bureau of The East African Newspaper, editing the regional publication while overseeing editorial operations in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his career, Kalinaki has been credited with steering landmark investigations and breaking major stories, helping to define independent journalism in Uganda.
He also spearheaded digital transformation initiatives at the Daily Monitor, ensuring that the publication remained competitive as readership shifted online.
Beyond newsroom leadership, Kalinaki has played a key role in mentoring journalists within Uganda and across the region.
He has also taught journalism at Makerere University, sharing his expertise and shaping a new generation of reporters and editors.
In 2023, Kalinaki and Susan Nsibirwa competed for the position of Managing Director to replace retiring expatriate Tony Glencross. Nsibirwa eventually prevailed in the highly contested process and was appointed on December 19.
The two leaders were not always at their best working together, with Kalinaki continuing to wield immense editorial influence and reference among the politicial and business leaders in the country.
Nsibirwa, by contrast, preferred to work closely with younger editors like Allan Chekwech and, to some degree, Tabu Butagira, the Managing Editor who is seen as a potential successor to Kalinaki.
Colleagues describe Kalinaki as a mentor and innovator, whose guidance has nurtured some of Uganda’s top journalists and strengthened the credibility of the nation’s media institutions.
His retirement marks the end of an era for NMG Uganda, characterized by editorial excellence, newsroom mentorship, and the successful navigation of digital transformation.
Tributes from staff and industry peers are expected in the coming weeks, as the media community reflects on his contributions to journalism in Uganda and the region.