HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Joe Nam was out praying on his veranda deep in the night when a masked gunman struck, ending his life in a chilling act that has shaken Uganda’s media fraternity.
Unknown assailants have shot dead the veteran journalist in Kampala, police have said, in what investigators are treating as a targeted killing carried out with precision in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Nam, 55, a former journalist with New Vision who served as a features reporter in the late 2000s, was killed at around 1 a.m. at his home in Kawanda Central, Nabweru Division in Wakiso District.
According to police accounts, Nam had stepped outside his house for prayers when an unidentified attacker, lying in wait, ambushed him at close range. The gunman, who was masked, reportedly fired fatal shots before fleeing into the darkness, leaving behind a lifeless body and a stunned household.
His wife, who was inside at the time, heard the gunshots and rushed out, only to find him dead. She immediately alerted authorities.
Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed the incident, describing it as a deliberate act carried out by an armed assailant who escaped without a trace.
“Preliminary information indicates that an unidentified armed assailant shot and killed him. The suspect, who was masked fled the scene immediately after the incident,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police officers responded to the distress call, but by the time they arrived at the scene, the attacker had already disappeared. Investigators cordoned off the area and began piecing together evidence from what appears to have been a carefully executed हत्या.
“A team of officers visited and documented the crime scene. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Mulago City Mortuary for post-mortem examination,” Owoyesigyire added.
Authorities say the motive behind the killing remains unclear, though early assessments suggest it may have been premeditated. Detectives are exploring whether the attack could be linked to Nam’s past work in journalism or his more recent consultancy engagements following his retirement from active reporting.
Owoyesigyire noted that multiple police teams have been deployed to gather evidence and track down the suspect, including efforts to establish the type of firearm used in the हत्या. By press time, no arrests had been made.
“The body has been taken to the mortuary at Mulago for a post mortem as part of the investigations. Other teams are on ground to establish circumstances surrounding the incident and what could be the motive for the shooting,” he said.
Nam’s killing bears the hallmarks of a calculated assassination — a lone attacker, a vulnerable moment, and a swift escape under the cover of darkness — raising fears about personal security even within residential neighborhoods.
During his journalism career, Nam was known for his coverage of business, environment and political affairs, earning respect among colleagues for his analytical reporting and professionalism. At the time of his death, he was engaged in consultancy work.
His sudden and violent death has shocked fellow journalists, many of whom described him as a dedicated professional whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
The incident also highlights the enduring challenge of gun-related crime in Uganda. Despite a decline in overall crime rates, shootings continue to claim lives across the country.
According to Uganda Police Force data, firearm-related homicides have averaged about 206 cases annually over the past decade, translating to roughly 0.45 per 100,000 people. In 2025, police recorded 190 قتل cases involving guns out of a total of 4,328 deliberate killings nationwide.
Security analysts attribute the persistence of such crimes to the widespread circulation of illicit firearms, many believed to have originated from past conflicts and cross-border trafficking networks.
As investigations into Nam’s killing continue, police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
For now, the image of a man gunned down in cold blood while at prayer remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of safety — and the urgent need to bring those responsible to justice.
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