TAKEAWAYS

• Peter Sematimba says he earned between Shs38 million and Shs55 million monthly during his peak years at CBS Radio.
• He was recruited by Buganda Kingdom after helping transform Capital FM during a challenging period in the radio industry.
• Sematimba later founded Super FM, cementing his legacy as one of Uganda’s most influential media entrepreneurs.

Veteran media personality Peter Sematimba has revealed the remarkable earnings he enjoyed during his time at CBS Radio, describing a period that he considers among the most rewarding chapters of his career.

Speaking in a recent interview, Sematimba recalled that by the end of his first year at the Buganda Kingdom-owned station, he was already earning between Shs20 million and Shs28 million per month from CBS alone.

“By the end of my first year at CBS, I was earning about between 20 and 28 million a month from CBS alone,” Sematimba revealed.

The broadcaster added that his recording studio business was also thriving at the time, significantly boosting his income and allowing him to enjoy a lifestyle many could only dream of.

“A bad month, I was making 38, 40 million. A good month, 55 million. And I was in my mid-30s, long hair, jeans, jagged jeans, a loop and a diamond stud. Those were the good days.”

Sematimba remains one of Uganda’s most influential media figures, having played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s modern radio industry. Before joining CBS, he was instrumental in revitalizing Capital FM at a time when the station was struggling to maintain its dominance amid growing competition from Sanyu FM.

Drawing from the experience and exposure he had acquired while living in the United States, Sematimba helped develop strategies that repositioned Capital FM and strengthened its presence in Uganda’s radio landscape.

His success at Capital FM later attracted the attention of Buganda Kingdom officials who recruited him to help establish and build CBS Radio. Rather than taking on a conventional full-time role, Sematimba opted for a contractual management arrangement, allowing him greater flexibility while contributing to the station’s growth.

His impact on Uganda’s broadcasting industry would extend even further when he went on to establish Super FM, a station that would grow into one of the country’s most recognizable radio brands.