Barbara Kaija bows out after 34 years at Vision Group
The longest-serving Editor-in-Chief in Vision Group's history steps down in June, handing the reins to Sidney Miria Babanga, a 26-year company veteran tapped to steady the ship.
Barbara Kaija, one of Uganda’s most recognised media figures, will retire from Vision Group at the end of June after 34 years of service, 16 of them as Editor-in-Chief, drawing the curtain on a career that shaped the editorial identity of the country’s dominant multimedia company.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Vision Group Managing Director, Don Wanyama, in an internal communication to staff. The board of directors has appointed Sidney Miria Babanga to succeed Kaija, effective July 2026.
Kaija’s tenure as Editor-in-Chief stands as the longest in Vision Group’s history. Over those 16 years, she oversaw the company’s editorial operations across its flagship newspaper New Vision, Bukedde, and a portfolio of broadcast and digital platforms, steering the organisation through the sweeping disruptions wrought by the digital media revolution.
“I also immensely appreciate Mrs Barbara Kaija for her selfless service to the Vision Group. We shall celebrate her appropriately in the coming days.” Don Wanyama, CEO & Managing Director, Vision Group, upon introducing and announcing Babanga’s takeover.
Wanyama did not elaborate on the specifics of Kaija’s career accomplishments in his announcement, but indicated the company intends to hold a formal celebration of her service in the days ahead. “We shall celebrate her appropriately in the coming days,” he said, describing her contribution as “selfless.”
The board’s choice of Babanga is a deliberate bet on institutional continuity. A 26-year company veteran, he joined Vision Group in 2000 as a freelance journalist and worked his way through a succession of editorial roles.
Babanga has worked at Vision Group as sub-editor, Sunday Magazine Editor, Deputy Regional News Editor, Regional News Editor, and Supplements Editor before his current position as Content Manager for Special Projects.
Wanyama framed the appointment explicitly in terms of a smooth handover. The board selected Miria, he said, “for seamless transition and to ensure continuity.”
In his new role, Babanga will carry responsibility for the full breadth of Vision Group’s editorial output. “As Editor-in-Chief, Sidney will provide overall editorial leadership, strategic direction and quality control for all content across Vision Group’s media platforms — newspaper, TV, radio and digital,” Wanyama told staff.
The CEO also set out the agenda expected of the incoming editor: driving innovation, deepening audience engagement, overseeing cross-platform integration, and keeping the group “competitive, relevant and trusted” in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Babanga’s appointment takes effect in July, giving the two editors a brief overlap period through Kaija’s final weeks, a transition structure that reflects the scale of the responsibility being handed over and the depth of institutional knowledge required to manage it.
