As Uganda and the African journalism fraternity mourn the passing of celebrated broadcaster Shaka Ssali, a wave of emotional reflection has emerged—not only about his immense legacy, but also about the cultural tensions surrounding his final wishes.
Ssali, the founder and long-time host of Straight Talk Africa on Voice of America, passed away on March 25, 2025. Known for his sharp intellect, humility, and commitment to telling Africa’s story with dignity, he left an indelible mark on the global media landscape. Yet even in death, Ssali continues to spark dialogue—this time about the intersection of culture, identity, and modernity.
The esteemed journalist, famously known as “the Kabale Kid” for his pride in his Bakiga roots, is set to be cremated on April 9 in Alexandria, Virginia, USA—a decision that has stirred mixed feelings among relatives and members of his home community in Kabale District.
Among the Bakiga, traditional burial rituals remain an essential part of cultural continuity. Cremation is unfamiliar and, for some, unsettling.
“We are ashamed to tell our people that there will be no burial service as is customary,” said Mr Alex Musherure, the head of the Batimbo clan to which Ssali belonged. “This decision to cremate has left us in a state of confusion. It’s painful for us as a community.”
While the cremation will be a private event, attended by a small circle of friends and family in the United States, plans are underway to honour Ssali’s memory in Uganda. His younger sister, Ms Hellen Mushakamba, said the family is working with former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to organise a memorial service at a later date.
“We have not planned for any burial arrangements yet, but I am in contact with Dr Rugunda for a memorial that will be announced at the appropriate time,” she confirmed.
For those who knew Ssali personally, the news of cremation was met with grief and confusion, yet also with heartfelt remembrance.
Mr Claude Zaribugyire, a childhood friend, recounted their youthful days growing up in Mwanjari, a suburb of Kabale Municipality. He remembered how Ssali, during the tense years of Idi Amin’s regime, would ask for newspapers while in hiding, determined to stay informed even when at risk.
“Even after he fled the country, we stayed in touch through his younger brother,” Zaribugyire said. “He later told us he had arrived safely in the U.S. and was pursuing higher education.” That journey eventually led Ssali to earn a PhD in cross-cultural communication and to his long tenure at Voice of America starting in 1986.
Mr Peter Menex Ssebasaza, another long-time friend, echoed similar sentiments. “He deeply loved our homeland. That’s why, even in America, he always introduced himself with pride as ‘the Kabale Kid’,” he said.
Yet it was this very pride in his roots that makes the decision to forgo a traditional burial especially poignant for some.
Ssali is believed to have made a conscious choice not to have his body repatriated, possibly to spare his family the logistical and emotional burden of transporting remains across continents. For a man who lived most of his life in the diaspora, the decision may reflect a reconciliation between his two worlds—his ancestral home and his adopted country.
Still, for many in Kabale and across Uganda, his passing has stirred broader conversations about how cultural traditions adapt—or don’t—in an increasingly globalised world.
“He belonged to us, even when he was abroad,” said Mr Musherure. “But now, we feel we’ve lost not only our son but the rituals that connect us to him.”
As the memorial service takes shape, many hope it will offer a moment for collective mourning, healing, and the celebration of a life that transcended borders. Shaka Ssali may have chosen a different path in death, but his legacy—rooted in truth-telling, identity, and pride in Africa—remains profoundly local and global.
From the hills of Kabale to the studios of Washington, D.C., his voice continues to echo: one of clarity, courage, and conviction.