Ugandan journalist dies in United States
RIP. Tom Mugerwa
What you need to know:
- Those who worked and associated with the late have praised the fallen journalist for having been a hardworking scribe and his quest for big news and scoops.
- Speaking of the late, veteran journalist and former Voice of Uganda sports writer Douglas Nsubuga said, Mugerwa always had a big nose for those stories that seemed complicated.
Kampala. The Ugandan community in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States is mourning the death of veteran journalist Tom Mugerwa.
Mugerwa, 57, who previously worked for Ugandan newspapers including Citizen, New Times and Tahere Sita magazine breathed his last on January 10 at Beth Hospital in Boston after being hospitalised for a week.
The late journalist’s elder brother and town clerk of Lyatonde District, Mr Martin Rogers Ssentongo, said Mugerwa’s health condition started deteriorating two years ago after he was involved in a grisly road accident while driving to work and later underwent a major operation in Boston.
“This accident seriously damaged his bladder. He last visited his family in Uganda last July but fell sick and cut short his holiday before flying back to US for specialised treatment,” he said.
Mugerwa’s condition reportedly worsened three months ago and he had remained bed-ridden.
The Ugandan community in Boston yesterday held a memorial service for their colleague at St Mary’s Church Waltham.
The body is expected in the country on Tuesday.
The family said a night vigil will be held at the deceased’s home in Bandwe, Nakawuka in Wakiso District on Wednesday before burial at his ancestral home in Kawoko in Bukomansimbi District on Thursday January 17.
Mugerwa started his journalism career during the 1980s at Democratic Party’s mouthpiece, The Citizen newspaper where he worked with others such as late Anthony Ssekweyama, J.B Kakooza and Lawrence Kiwanuka.
His next port of call happened to be New Times newspaper where he worked as an editor before crossing over to UPDF’s mouthpiece Tahere Sita magazine where he joined hands with Tony Owana.
He left for United States six years ago.
Those who worked and associated with the late have praised the fallen journalist for having been a hardworking scribe and his quest for big news and scoops.
Speaking of the late, veteran journalist and former Voice of Uganda sports writer Douglas Nsubuga said, Mugerwa always had a big nose for those stories that seemed complicated.
“He would not rest until he had everything on his computer. He started journalism at a difficult time when accessing the internet was considered a dream but all the same used whatever little information technology that was available to excel,” said Nsubuga.
Mugerwa leaves behind a widow, Beria Mugerwa and two daughters.
