Joseph Tamale Mirundi, a former journalist and Presidential Press Secretary, led a life as multifaceted as a chameleon but never wavered in his outspoken nature.
Mirundi, who passed away at 60 after battling liver and lung issues at Kisubi Hospital on Tuesday, was known for his ability to adapt to any situation, using his sharp tongue to attack foes and praise friends alike.
Born on June 30, 1964, in Matale-Kalagala, Kyotera District, Mirundi was a controversial figure in the media, creating both allies and enemies.
He often reflected on his childhood, describing it as joyful yet stubborn. He recounted how, as a child, he once pushed down a Catholic priest during a baptism ceremony in a packed church, a testament to his early defiance.
Mirundi excelled academically, particularly in music and English, and was selected to sing in the school choir that performed for former President Idi Amin Dada during a visit to their district in the 1970s.
His older brother, John Ssali, played a pivotal role in his life, relocating him from the village to Kampala for better educational opportunities.
“When my wife joined me in Kampala City, she informed me that my brother (Mirundi) was very good in class, but he was so stubborn. She said if Mirundi remained in the village, he was going to fail in life. So she suggested that we bring him to Kampala City to save his life. I agreed,” Mr Ssali said.
After completing his primary education, Mirundi joined Lubiri Secondary School, where he pursued both his Ordinary and Advanced levels of education. It was during this time that his brother, who worked for Munno newspaper, helped him secure a job as a vendor for the publication. Mirundi quickly gained an understanding of street life, often saying that selling newspapers during school holidays and while still a student was an invaluable experience.
While vending newspapers, Mirundi began writing and submitting news stories to Munno’s editors, who appreciated his contributions. This sparked his passion for journalism, leading him to abandon formal education in favor of news reporting, a decision that would shape his career. He often referred to himself as a self-made man, having learned the ropes of journalism through apprenticeship and in-house training provided by the Catholic Church at Munno.
Mirundi’s career blossomed during a tumultuous period in Uganda’s history, marked by frequent government changes and the rise of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the early 1980s.
His reporting allowed him to establish connections with both government officials and rebel leaders, including Yoweri Museveni and his brother, Caleb Akandwanaho, also known as Gen. Salim Saleh. These relationships would prove invaluable when the NRM took power, with Museveni becoming President and Saleh a top military general.
Veteran journalist John Kakande, who first met Mirundi in 1986 while working for the Star newspaper, recalled their friendship and…