Uganda, Jan. 21 -- On the afternoon of November 6, 2013, in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Robert Kabushenga, then CEO of Vision Group, spoke at a public debate that was part of an annual convention organised by the African Media Leaders Forum.

I had travelled from Doha, Qatar, to attend the three-day convention. The Eshetu Chloe Building, which houses the Faculty of Business and Economics at Addis Ababa University, was the debate's venue.

Mr Kabushenga, clad in blue jeans and a black jacket, addressed a packed auditorium.

Topic? Are African Media Capable of Transforming the Continent? He spoke well, going by the audience's rapt attention, and when he was done, he got a round of applause.

During question time, I asked Mr Kabusheng...