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.[1] 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.[2][3] In 2021, he joined STV Uganda on The Sharp Talk show and Embuga which was aired twice a week.[4] He was a former presidential press secretary,[5][6] and media advisor.[7][8] Joseph Tamale Mirundi will always be remembered as a bold journalist whose raw critique of authority sparked both conversation and controversy.
Joseph Tamale Mirundi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 June 1964 Rakai District, Uganda |
| Died | 13 August 2024 (aged 60) Kisubi Hospital , Uganda |
| Education | Rubaga Senior Secondary School Makerere University |
| Occupation(s) | Author, journalist and former presidential press secretary and media advisor |
| Political party | National Resistance Movement |
| Parent(s) | Molly Namatovu and Yowana Mirundi |
| Website | kab |
Tamale was a part-time writer for the newspaper Munno before he became a professional journalist.[9] In 2017, he was suspended from the One On One show for use of abusive language.[10] He was rewarded by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (President of the Republic of Uganda) with a new car for his media work.[11][12] He also predicted the downfall of Eric Sakwa.[13][14] He has predicted that the party People Power, Our Power under Bobi Wine would have more seats after the 2021 elections.[15] In 2015, his first wife Juliet Nassimbwa wanted to divorce him due to political differences.[16] He alleged that he was poisoned in 2019.[17] He was also taken to court by lawyer Mabirizi over defamation.[18] In 2015, the judges urged president Museveni to fire him over inciting violence in the citizens.[19] As of 16 June 2020, Tamale has ended his appearances on the One on One show at NBS Television.[20] The following day he announced that the show would be available on Facebook and YouTube until further notice.[21]
Background and education
editTamale Mirundi was born to Namatovu Molly and Yowana Mirundi from Matale-Kalagala Village, Kyotera District previously Rakai District as their ninth child.[22] 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.[23] He held a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University. He initiated two independent newspaper publications, The Voice and Lipoota after his university.[23]
Death
editTamale died from lung disease at Kisubi Hospital, on 13 August 2024, where he had been hospitalised for a month. He was 60.[24][25][26]
References
edit- ^ "Hours after quitting NBS, Kazibwe Bashir teams up with Tamale Mirundi for new political show on STV". Watchdog Uganda. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "One-on-One with Tamale – NBS Television". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi Archives". Nile Post. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ The Sharp Talk With Tamale Mirundi, Reveals More Shocking Information, November 2023, retrieved 26 January 2024
- ^ Okuda, Ivan (27 July 2015). "Story behind Tamale Mirundi's sacking". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ Lumu, David; Anyango, Aida (24 July 2014). "My contract has expired, says Tamale Mirundi". www.newvision.co.ug. New Vision Group. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Uganda, Flash (8 January 2020). "Biography of Joseph Tamale Mirundi: Everything you need to Know". Flash Uganda Media. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi 'Demoted'". The Independent. Uganda. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Ortega, Ian (6 January 2013). "Tamale Mirundi: Ripping open the motor-mouthed politician". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "NBS in trouble over Tamale Mirundi show". www.newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Rewarded! Museveni hands Tamale Mirundi brand new car as controversial presidential assistant puts one over 'mafia'". PML Daily. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Museveni gifts Tamale Mirundi with monster 300m ride". Nile Post. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ klasun_admin. "How Tamale Mirundi, Besigye, Bobi Wine predicted Sakwa's downfall | Kampala Sun". Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "TAMALE MIRUNDI ku kukwatibwa kwa RDC w'e Jinja Eric Sakwa". www.thtube.pro. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi predicts 'People Power' will dominate Parliament in 2021". PML Daily. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ BigEyeUg3 (19 November 2015). "Tamale Mirundi Separating With One of His Wives". BigEye.UG. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "I was poisoned and I know who did it, says Tamale Mirundi". Nile Post. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ URN (26 March 2019). "Mabirizi drags Tamale Mirundi to court for defamation". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Kiyonga, Derrick (27 April 2015). "Judges want Museveni to fire Tamale Mirundi". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ REDPEPPER, Our Reporter | (15 June 2020). "END OF ROAD: Tamale Mirundi leaves NBS Tv". Red Pepper. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi Finally Announces His Next Move After Exit from NBS TV and Top Radio". Uganda News, Politics, Entertainment,Business and Special Reports. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi: A man of humble origins". New Vision. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b Tamale Mirundi was life itself and only death could catch up with him
- ^ "Political commentator Tamale Mirundi dies". Monitor. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Tamale Mirundi is dead". Pulse Uganda. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Independent, The (14 August 2024). "Tamale Mirundi is dead, family confirms". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 14 August 2024.