How Changing Media Culture Pushed Tuff B Out of the Spotlight

Ugandan media personality, musician, and TV presenter Tuff B recently opened up about his surprising decision to leave the media industry and step into the political arena.

Known for hosting the hugely popular KURT show on NBS TV, Tuff B was once considered one of Uganda’s top TV presenters.

But after years in the spotlight, he says the media world has changed so much that it no longer feels like his space.

Reflecting on the shift, Tuff B told Deep Talk that the pace and attitude of the current generation in media have changed drastically.

This current generation has a speed that is way too fast. How they understand things is not the way we understand things.

He explained that, unlike before, building a brand used to depend on how well you did your job and executed your work.

Back in the day, for us to build a brand and people understand you depended on how one did their job. How you executed your work.

But nowadays, he said, many try to gain recognition through negativity and disrespect.

But lately, to build a brand you have to first abuse someone, demean them, despise them, for people to see you as the best at abusing others.

This was something Tuff B said never aligned with his values or how he wanted to work.

That was never part of our scope of work. So after much thought, I accepted that I could not fit in that space anymore.

He also expressed how the respect for media jobs has diminished over time.

I felt like the disrespect in the industry means it is no longer my place. When I was there, the job was respected. Everyone gave it respect. We were treated like kings. Now, people even despise this job.

Despite this, Tuff B reflected proudly on his accomplishments in media before stepping away.

I think I did everything. I took the show [KURT] from local to East Africa. I took the show to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania. I built a brand so strong that when I cross into the entertainment industry of Kenya, they will not question who Tuff B is. The same goes for Rwanda and Tanzania.

Feeling he had reached the peak of his media career, Tuff B decided it was time to move on.

I believe I hit the beam. That is why I said, no, that is enough. Even if you dance the best, there comes a time when you have to step aside.

Now, Tuff B is channeling his energy into political ambitions, leaving behind a media career that once earned him respect and fame across East Africa.