As Uganda navigated the twists and turns of 2025, the year was also marked by the loss of several prominent figures whose deaths left deep scars across politics, security, business, media, academia and culture.
From youthful politicians to seasoned intellectuals, their passing underscored the fragility of life and the weight of unfinished legacies.
Muhammad Ssegirinya: A Young Voice Gone Too Soon
January 2025 had barely begun when death claimed Kawempe North Member of Parliament Muhammad Ssegirinya at just 37 years of age. The outspoken National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator died at Rubaga Hospital, leaving behind a legacy defined by bold rhetoric, controversy and unfulfilled promise.
Nicknamed “Eddoboozi ly’eKyebando”—loosely translated as “the voice of Kyebando”—Ssegirinya embodied youthful political ambition and the hope of change. However, his parliamentary career was frequently disrupted by legal troubles and prolonged absences from the August House. By the time of his death, he had spent more time outside Parliament than within it, a reality that symbolized a career cut painfully short.
Brigadier Henry Oluka: Intelligence Chief Laid to Rest
Later in January, Uganda lost the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Brigadier Henry Oluka, who died on January 29 after battling heart complications. He passed away at Doctors Hospital Sseguku along Entebbe Road, where he had been rushed earlier that day.
Brig Oluka had taken over leadership of ISO in October 2020 from Col Frank Bagyenda and was credited with steering the intelligence body during a politically sensitive period. His death was a major blow to Uganda’s security establishment.
Rajiv Ruparelia: A Business Heir Lost in a Tragic Crash
The death of businessman Rajiv Ruparelia, Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group, shocked the nation. Rajiv died after his vehicle rammed into poorly marked temporary concrete barriers at the Busabala Flyover junction along the Kajjansi–Munyonyo road shortly after midnight.
His passing triggered nationwide outrage over unsafe road construction practices, with many Ugandans citing the lack of proper signage at the junction, which had reportedly caused multiple accidents before. Rajiv’s death resonated deeply, particularly among young entrepreneurs who saw him as a symbol of generational business leadership.
Cedric Babu Ndilima: A Multifaceted Life Cut Short
At the end of May, charismatic media personality, former national tennis star, talent manager and political aspirant Cedric Babu Ndilima died at the age of 46 after succumbing to heart complications at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
The son of veteran politician Capt. Francis Babu and business leader Olive Zaitun Kigongo, Cedric’s life intersected sports, media, entertainment, entrepreneurship and politics. His death, like Rajiv’s, struck a chord with many Ugandans who admired his versatility and ambition.
Shaka Ssali: The Voice of Africa Falls Silent
Celebrated journalist Shaka Ssali, fondly known as the “Kabale Kid,” also passed away in 2025 at the age of 71 in the United States. Ssali was the long-time host of Voice of America’s flagship programme Straight Talk Africa.
For more than two decades, he was a trusted voice engaging African leaders and citizens on democracy, governance and development. His death was mourned across Uganda and the continent, as many reflected on his unwavering commitment to press freedom and critical discourse.
Margaret Komuhangi: Champion of Women Remembered
Former Nakasongola District Woman MP Margaret Komuhangi died in India, where she had been receiving treatment. She served two terms in Parliament from 2011 to 2021 and is remembered for her strong advocacy for women’s empowerment and community development in Nakasongola.
Prof. George Kanyeihamba: A Legal Giant Departs
The second half of the year began with the loss of prominent legal scholar and retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. George William Kanyeihamba, who died at 86 after a prolonged illness at Kampala Hospital.
A towering figure in Uganda’s legal history, Kanyeihamba played a key role in shaping the country’s post-independence legal framework. His career spanned academia, the judiciary and politics, and he remained a symbol of legal independence, democratic values and intellectual rigor.
Sam Omalla: The Controversial Police Enforcer
Also in 2025, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omalla died at 65 after battling colon cancer at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Omalla was widely known for his tough approach during the Walk-to-Work protests led by opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, a role that often placed him at the center of public criticism.
Mary Karooro Okurut: A Literary and Political Icon
In August, Uganda lost former minister, senior presidential advisor and celebrated author Mary Karooro Okurut, who died in Nairobi. Karooro was revered for her contributions to politics, gender advocacy, education and Ugandan literature, leaving behind a legacy that bridged governance and culture.
2025 will be remembered not only for its political and social milestones, but also for the silence left by voices that once shaped Uganda’s national conversation.
