Ugandan veteran journalist, most recognized for his service at Voice of America’s Straight Talk Africa has died. Shaka Ssali, who retired from active journalism recently, was announced dead on Thursday aged 71 years.
As the host of “Straight Talk Africa,” he tackled some of the most pressing issues on the continent, from politics and corruption to social justice and human rights. Ssali’s unique style, which blended wit, humor, and intellectual curiosity, made him a beloved figure among audiences. He had a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life, from heads of state to ordinary citizens.
Born in the small town of Kabale, Uganda, Ssali’s journey to becoming a legendary journalist was remarkable. He attended Kikungiri Primary School and later Kigezi High School. He, however, dropped out of secondary school in the 1960s. He enlisted in the Uganda Army as a paratrooper, a decision that eventually led him to flee the repressive regime of Idi Amin in 1976.
Seeking refuge in the United States, Ssali returned to education, earning his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Cross-Cultural Communications at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
His work as a journalist started with a humble beginning at VOA, where he first co-hosted Africa World Tonight.
