Kampala, Uganda – Dembe FM is set to resume operations on February 13, 2025, following a challenging period that led to the station’s temporary shutdown. This announcement comes as a relief to fans and listeners who have eagerly awaited the return of the popular radio station. Gabriel Buule, an employee of Monitor Publications Limited, which owns Dembe FM, expressed his excitement on social media, praising Managing Director Sue Nsibirwa for her leadership in resurrecting the station.
Dembe FM had laid off several prominent employees in 2023, including well-known personalities like Isaac Daniel Katende, known as Kasuku, and Bina Babie (Robina Mbabazi). Following these layoffs, the station ceased regular programming and focused solely on music. In a previous announcement, the station’s management had indicated that it would reassess its viability as a business concern.
The station originally launched in May 2002 and has undergone various changes in ownership and branding over the years. Known for targeting Luganda-speaking audiences, particularly women, Dembe FM has faced financial challenges and government scrutiny in the past. The upcoming relaunch signals a new chapter for the station as it aims to regain its footing in Uganda’s competitive media landscape.