When did Jimmy Ssekabitto die?
Veteran journalist Jimmy Ssekabitto, a long-serving correspondent for Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) FM, a Buganda Kingdom-owned radio station, was found unconscious near the Uganda Red Cross offices in Kampala on the morning of June 27, 2025, and was later pronounced dead at Lubaga Hospital. The 42-year-old, based in Sembabule District, died under circumstances that have prompted a joint investigation by authorities in Masaka and Kampala. The journalism community mourns the loss of a dedicated professional, with questions surrounding his sudden death still unanswered.
Who was Jimmy Ssekabitto?
The journalism career of Jimmy Ssekabitto began in 2001 at Radio Buddu, where he honed his skills before joining CBS FM in 2003. Known for his commitment to balanced reporting and his loyalty to the Buganda Kingdom, he became a respected figure in Uganda’s media landscape. Alex Nsubuga, news editor at CBS Radio, described him as a devoted journalist. “As a station, we have lost an experienced journalist. He loved his job and the Kingdom. We will dearly miss him,” Nsubuga said.
The Final Journey
On the night before his death, Jimmy Ssekabitto traveled overnight from Masaka to Kampala to attend a friend’s wedding Mass at Rubaga Cathedral, scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 27, 2025. According to a commuter taxi driver known as Goge, who transported him, Jimmy Ssekabitto disembarked at Kampala’s New Taxi Park around 5:40 a.m. and boarded a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) headed for the cathedral. “He had told me that he was going to Lubaga to attend a wedding ceremony at 9 a.m. and, soon after, return to Masaka to attend to other programmes, but I was shocked to receive a phone call 20 minutes later that Ssekabitto had died,” Goge recounted.
Eyewitnesses reported a distressing scene near the Uganda Red Cross offices, where Jimmy Ssekabitto was found unresponsive, with fluids reportedly oozing from his mouth and nose. Sam Kisiitu, a bystander, witnessed boda boda riders gathering at the scene. “When I came closer, I realized there was a man lying on the ground. They helped to put him on one of the motorcycles and rushed him to nearby Lubaga Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” Kisiitu said.
A medic at Lubaga Hospital, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Jimmy Ssekabitto was brought in by two men on a motorcycle. “The man who was holding him on the motorcycle vanished after reaching here, though we managed to interrogate the cyclist, who told us he was just asked to bring the patient to the hospital,” the medic explained.
A Personal Connection to the Wedding
Jonan Jjumba, a Sembabule-based journalist, shared that he last spoke to Jimmy Ssekabitto around midnight before his trip to Kampala. Both were part of the organizing committee for Jude Kiganda’s wedding. Jjumba had informed Ssekabitto that he could not attend the event and suggested finding a Kampala-based colleague to cover it, but Ssekabitto insisted on being there in person. “It is unfortunate he died before reaching the Cathedral,” Jjumba said, reflecting on the tragic loss.
Calls for a Thorough Investigation
The sudden and mysterious nature of the death of Jimmy Ssekabitto has raised alarm within the journalism community. The Greater Masaka Journalists Association (GREMAJA) has called for a comprehensive investigation. “We are saddened by the mysterious death of Ssekabitto, and we ask the security authorities to come up with a comprehensive report. It’s surprising that such incidents are happening now, and we are scared for the future of our work,” said GREMAJA president Farish Magembe.
Southern region police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed that detectives in Masaka and Kampala are working jointly to uncover the circumstances leading to the death on June 27, 2025. A postmortem report is expected to provide critical insights to guide the investigation.
A Lasting Legacy
The two-decade career of Jimmy Ssekabitto, from his beginnings at Radio Buddu to his impactful tenure at CBS FM, established him as a steadfast voice in Ugandan journalism. His dedication to storytelling, his community, and the Buganda Kingdom left a lasting impression on colleagues and listeners alike.
As authorities continue their investigation, the journalism community grieves the loss of a colleague whose passion for his work was unwavering. Stay updated on this story by following our WhatsApp and Telegram channels.
