By Our Reporter
NTUNGAMO— Anthony Kushaba, a communications officer with Ntungamo District Local Government and former Uganda Radio Network (URN) journalist, has been found dead in his rented room in Ntungamo town.
Kushaba, 36, was reportedly discovered on Friday after colleagues became concerned when he failed to report to work and could not be reached on his telephone.
He had worked with Ntungamo District Local Government for about eight years and lived only a short distance from the district headquarters.
His death has shocked colleagues, friends and relatives, who described him as an outspoken and sociable person who was committed to his work.
#Colleagues raise alarm
According to Eng Prosper Butubuura, one of Kushaba’s close workmates, the two had spent Thursday evening together at a burial ceremony for Kushaba’s aunt in Nyabihoko.
Butubuura said they later had dinner before Kushaba drove home at about 10pm.
“We were together at a burial of his aunt in Nyabihoko. We came together, had dinner and he drove and went home at around 10:00pm,” Butubuura said.
Kushaba was expected at work the following morning, but colleagues noticed that he had not arrived.
Butubuura said Kushaba was usually among the first employees to report to the office, prompting colleagues to become concerned as the morning progressed.
“He was always among the first to report to office,” Butubuura said.
He added that Kushaba sometimes travelled to his home area of Kabale without informing colleagues, making it initially difficult to determine whether he had simply travelled.
However, by about midday, colleagues realised he was neither at the office nor responding to telephone calls.
“We realised he was not in office and not coming in at about midday, and calls to his phone were not going through. We decided to look for him physically,” Butubuura said.
#Door found locked
Butubuura and other colleagues went to Kushaba’s rented room to check on him.
They found the door locked and received no response when they knocked.
Butubuura said they contacted Kushaba’s landlady, Juliet Kwata, and decided to involve the police.
Before officers arrived, however, Butubuura looked through a rear window and noticed the shoes Kushaba had been wearing the previous evening.
“I called in the landlady and we decided to call police, but before police came, I looked through the hind window and saw the shoes he was putting on in the evening,” he said.
According to Butubuura, the door appeared to have been locked from inside, suggesting that Kushaba was still inside the room.
The circumstances surrounding how he died remain subject to official investigation.
#Last evening with friends
Kushaba’s final known evening was spent with friends at a pork joint in Buhumuriro suburb.
A friend who spoke on condition of anonymity described him as cheerful during the gathering.
The friend said Kushaba shared stories with his colleagues and friends and even organised a mock wedding as part of the evening’s entertainment.
“He told us many stories, mimicked a wedding for one of us and gave each one roles to be played at that wedding. He was a very happy man,” the friend said.
The account has added to the sense of shock among people who knew him, given that he appeared well and in good spirits hours before his death.
#Postmortem reported
A postmortem examination was reportedly conducted at Itojo Hospital.
Butubuura said the examination found ruptured blood vessels and that doctors linked the condition to Kushaba’s death.
However, the information available does not include a detailed medical report, and the exact medical circumstances surrounding his death could not independently be established from the information provided.
Authorities may therefore need to rely on the official postmortem findings and any police investigation to determine the precise cause of death.
There was no immediate indication that Kushaba’s death was connected to his brother’s legal work or exile.
#Brother linked to opposition lawyer
Kushaba was the younger brother of lawyer Aaron Kizza, who has represented detained opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye.
Despite the connection, colleagues said Kushaba had not reported receiving threats to his life.
Butubuura said Kushaba had previously raised concerns relating to challenges at his workplace, but there was no indication from his colleagues that he feared for his personal safety.
There is therefore no evidence in the information available to establish a connection between his death and his brother’s activities.
#Journalism career
Before joining Ntungamo District Local Government, Kushaba had built a career in journalism and broadcasting.
He began his journalism career in 2009 before moving into radio presentation.
He worked with BFM in Bushenyi and later joined Voice of Kigezi in Kabale.
Kushaba subsequently joined Uganda Radio Network, where he served as the agency’s Mbarara bureau chief for approximately three years.
His experience in journalism later took him into public-sector communications, where he worked with Ntungamo District Local Government.
His career therefore spanned both journalism and government communication.
#Colleagues remember outspoken officer
At Ntungamo District Local Government, colleagues remembered Kushaba as someone who was willing to speak out about issues affecting employees.
Florence Kisembo, an inventory officer, said colleagues often turned to him when they had workplace grievances.
“If we had grievances and failed to pass them through, we would tell Anthony and he would either say it during meetings or tell it to the concerned directly,” Kisembo said.
She described him as someone who openly advocated for colleagues.
“He fought for our rights and was straight and to the point, an open man,” she added.
The accounts from colleagues portray Kushaba as an employee who was actively involved in workplace discussions and was willing to raise concerns on behalf of others.
#Family mourns
Kushaba is survived by his wife and three children.
His death leaves behind a family and a professional community that had known him for many years.
Colleagues said his sudden absence from work prompted the search that eventually led to the discovery of his body.
His death has also left questions about the circumstances surrounding his final hours, particularly as he had spent the previous evening socialising with friends and appeared to be in good spirits.
#Investigation expected to establish circumstances
Although the reported postmortem findings may provide an indication of the cause of death, a full understanding of what happened will depend on official medical and investigative findings.
The fact that Kushaba was found inside a locked room and that colleagues had no immediate knowledge of him being unwell has heightened concern among those who knew him.
However, there is currently no evidence in the information provided to suggest foul play.
Authorities will be expected to establish the circumstances of his death and formally communicate their findings where necessary.
#A career remembered
For his former colleagues in the media and public service, Kushaba’s death marks the loss of a professional who spent more than a decade working in journalism, broadcasting and government communication.
His colleagues’ recollections focus on his openness, willingness to speak about workplace concerns and his social nature.
The circumstances of his sudden death have nonetheless left his family, friends and colleagues grieving while they await further clarity from the relevant authorities.
*Source:🇺🇬Be Blessed
