Veteran Journalist Shot Dead at 1AM Outside His Home in Wakiso

A veteran Ugandan journalist was shot dead in a targeted attack at his home early Sunday morning.

Joe Nam, 55, a former reporter with New Vision, was killed around 1 a.m. in Kawanda Central, Nabweru Division, Wakiso District.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, a masked gunman approached Nam shortly after he stepped outside his house to go for prayers and opened fire before fleeing on foot.

Nam’s wife heard the shots and rushed out to find him lying unresponsive. Police rushed to the scene but confirmed he was already dead.

Officers cordoned off the area, collected evidence, and began hunting for the attacker and the weapon used. The motive remains unclear.

“The preliminary information indicates that an unidentified armed assailant shot and killed him,” said Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire. “The suspect, who was masked, fled the scene immediately after the incident.”

Nam’s body has been taken to Mulago Mortuary for a post-mortem as investigations continue.

A well-known figure in Ugandan media, Nam spent his career covering business, environmental, and political stories. In recent years he had retired from daily reporting and moved into consultancy work.

Police say they are still working to establish exactly why he was targeted.