- Source: Tamale Mirundi
Joseph Tamale Mirundi (30 June 1964 – 13 August 2024) was a Ugandan journalist, author and political analyst who appeared on prominent television stations like NBS and STV and other media channels like radio and social media platforms for political shows i.e. Sharp Talk with Tamale Mirundi on STV. In 2022, Tamale opened up an online newspaper where he published news and information named Kab News. He previously appeared on NBS Television on the One on One show. In 2021, he joined STV Uganda on The Sharp Talk show and Embuga which was aired twice a week. He was a former presidential press secretary, and media advisor. Joseph Tamale Mirundi will always be remembered as a bold journalist whose raw critique of authority sparked both conversation and controversy.
Tamale was a part-time writer for the newspaper Munno before he became a professional journalist. In 2017, he was suspended from the One On One show for use of abusive language. He was rewarded by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (President of the Republic of Uganda) with a new car for his media work. He also predicted the downfall of Eric Sakwa. He has predicted that the party People Power, Our Power under Bobi Wine would have more seats after the 2021 elections. In 2015, his first wife Juliet Nassimbwa wanted to divorce him due to political differences. He alleged that he was poisoned in 2019. He was also taken to court by lawyer Mabirizi over defamation. In 2015, the judges urged president Museveni to fire him over inciting violence in the citizens. As of 16 June 2020, Tamale has ended his appearances on the One on One show at NBS Television. The following day he announced that the show would be available on Facebook and YouTube until further notice.
Background and education
Tamale Mirundi was born to Namatovu Molly and Yowana Mirundi from Matale-Kalagala Village, Kyotera District previously Rakai District as their ninth child. He is said to have moved to Kampala in 1979 to pursue secondary education and initiated his career in journalism at Munno newspaper during his time in the third year of senior school. He held a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University. He initiated two independent newspaper publications, The Voice and Lipoota after his university.
Death
Tamale died from lung disease at Kisubi Hospital, on 13 August 2024, where he had been hospitalised for a month. He was 60.
