One of Africa’s long serving journalist at the global voice Of America who hosted a popular weekly program Straight Talk Africa for two decades ,Dr. Shaka Ssali died at the age of 71 .
“The Kabale Kid” as he used to refer to himself interviewed many leaders on the African continent during a time when there were many liberation struggles . the topics he handled included politics , development and economic emancipation of the peoples of Africa, corruption , social justice, and human rights.
While Ssali hosted the popular weekly show Straight talk Africa he also doubled as the editor-in-chief of the VOA television and radio show before retiring in 2021 after over 20 years of service.
He often said that he dropped out of secondary school in the 1960s and ended up in the Uganda Army as a paratrooper, before fleeing Idi Amin’s regime in 1976.
That is how he ended up in the USA where he arrived as a half-baked former lieutenant in the Uganda Army of the President Obote I and early Idi Amin days.
He had only his Primary Leaving Certificate and the Junior Leaving Certificate. He had joined Kigezi College for his secondary education but was expelled when he was in Senior Two. He then went to Kololo Secondary School where he dropped out in Senior Three to join the Uganda Army in 1968 aged 16.
He went through cadet training and was commissioned as a lieutenant. But in 1974 his name was linked to a failed coup attempt against Idi Amin and he fled to Kenya.
He returned to Uganda and went into what he jokingly refers to as “international business” but was actually smuggling ivory. In 1976 he arrived in the U.S.
“I often say that information is the oxygen of democracy. When I left my country in 1976, I left behind a corrupt regime. Information was manipulated, human rights were abused, justice did not exist,” he once wrote in a blog for the Young Africans Leadership Initiative (YALI) website.
“Fast forward a few decades later and I find myself in a position to ask tough questions of people who play a leading role in shaping the future of the African continent. But I also open the microphone to concerned African citizens who also want to ask questions and get answers that affect their lives directly.”
In the US, Ssali launched the weekly `Straight Talk Africa’ in August 2000 as the VOA’s first TV offering on the continent.
He was 48-years old at the time and that was just eight years after he joined the VOA team in 1992.
Shaka held a doctorate in cross-cultural communication and history from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and is a former Ford Foundation Fellow and has also received a number of awards including a United Nations Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award in International Journalism and VOA’s Best Journalist Award.
Born in the small town of Kabale, Uganda, Ssali’s journey to becoming a legendary journalist was nothing short of remarkable
He was only two weeks shy of his 72nd birthday according a statement by the American broadcaster.
His work garnered respect and admiration at home, across Africa and beyond, with countless leaders, analysts, and citizens looking to him as a trusted voice in broadcasting.
Born in the small town of Kabale, Uganda, Ssali’s journey to becoming a legendary journalist was nothing short of remarkable.
In his youth, he attended Kikungiri Primary School and later Kigezi High School.
His work as a journalist started with a humble beginning at VOA, where he first co-hosted Africa World Tonight.
His breakthrough came in 2000, when he was given the reins of Straight Talk Africa, a platform that allowed him to engage African leaders in critical dialogues on pressing issues.
Ssali’s signature introduction, “I’m profoundly-honoured and exceedingly-humbled,” became a hallmark of his programme, reflecting his gratitude and commitment to his craft.
A Lifetime of Service and Recognition
In September last year, Shaka Ssali’s monumental contributions to African journalism were recognised when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA).
During his acceptance speech, Ssali dedicated the award to the people of Kabale, the community where he grew up, and paid tribute to his family, friends, and even critics who had all played roles in his journey.
“Let’s keep the African hope alive,” a phrase he often used, became not just a personal mantra but a call to action for his millions of listeners.
In the same year, however, his health noticeably declined leading to false reports on social media, that he had passed only which he later dispelled.
Ssali’s influence stretched far beyond the airwaves. His ability to inspire and mentor young journalists across Africa, particularly in Uganda, cemented his legacy as a pioneer in African media.
His warm and approachable nature made him a beloved figure, with countless anecdotes of his kindness and willingness to engage with both fans and fellow broadcasters alike.
In one notable instance, while in a market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a man’s excitement upon speaking with Shaka illustrated the far-reaching impact of his voice, as the man gleamed with joy at having connected with his icon.
