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Security - 19 April 2026

Veteran Journalist Joe Nam Shot Dead in Kampala

By Jean-Marc Okito3 min readFrançais

Kampala April 19, 2026 - A veteran Ugandan journalist, Joe Nam, has been shot dead in what police describe as a targeted attack in the early hours of Sunday morning. Nam, 55, a former features reporter with New Vision, was killed in Kawanda, Nabweru Division, in Wakiso District, according to authorities. Police said the incident occurred in the early morning hours when an unidentified armed assailant opened fire before fleeing the scene. Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Police, confirmed the killing and said investigations were underway. “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. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and no arrests have been reported so far. Nam was known for his work as a features journalist in the late 2000s, and his death has raised concerns among media professionals and observers about the safety of journalists in Uganda. Police have urged anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to come forward as efforts continue to identify and apprehend the suspect.

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