By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Uganda Journalists’ Association (UJA) has eulogized its esteemed former president who served from 1998to 2001. Mirundi, who was 60 years old, passed away on Tuesday evening at approximately 11:40 pm.
By the time of his death Mirundi was a senior presidential advisor and a former press secretary to the president
UJA statement by UJA President Mathias Rukundo
“RE: UGANDA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (UJA) EULOGIZES THE FALLEN MEDIA ICON AND EX – UJA PRESIDENT; JOSEPH TAMALE MIRUNDI.
We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the family, the entire media fraternity and the nation at large, upon the sadden loss of senior journalist Joseph Tamale Mirundi who passed on, on Tuesday 12th 2024.
Tamale Mirundi is one of the esteemed former UJA Presidents who principally and greatly served the association in various capacities as Vice President from 1991-1994, Secretary for Labor from 1994- 1996 as well as the President from 1998- 2001.
During his leadership, he strongly and passionately fought against the draconian Press and Journalist Act which he said was intended to undermine independent journalism, thereby advocating for a free press premised on strong values of truth telling, reasoning, freedom of expression and speech.
The nation has lost a Media Icon who was an encyclopedia, prowess, exceptionally intelligent, a teacher, a patriot, passionate, humorous, mentor and a realist through his career.
Mirundi will always be missed by the media fraternity that he labored to mentor during his life time.
The deceased’s departure creates a profound void in both the media fraternity and the broader community, and his legacy of courage and integrity will continue to inspire and guide us as we strive to uphold the values he championed.
We therefore, commiserate with his family. May his Soul Rest in Peace.”
Burrial program
According to the released burial programme, Mirundi, 60, will be buried on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at his ancestral village in Kalagala, Kaliisizo, Rakai District.
Today, Wednesday, August 14th, 2024, the funeral will start with a vigil and mass at Zzana Residence.
On Thursday, August 15th, a requiem mass will be held at St. Gyaviira Catholic Church Bunnamwaya at 10:00 am, followed by an overnight vigil at Zzana Residence.
On Friday, August 16th, the body will be taken to Kyengera Residence for a mass at 10:00 am and an overnight vigil.
The body will then leave for Kalagala Village in Kaliisizo, Rakai District on Saturday, August 17th, for a vigil.
