Anthony Kushaba: Journalist who wouldn’t stay quiet goes silent

What the report says

The Observer reports that Anthony Kushaba, a former Uganda Radio Network (URN) journalist and later communications officer for Ntungamo district, has died at age 38. According to the postmortem cited in the piece, he died of heart failure. He was found at his residence after failing to report to work on Friday, and the report says the postmortem was completed on August 21. Kushaba was also the younger brother of exiled human rights lawyer and activist Eron Kiiza.

The article frames Kushaba as a prominent and outspoken newsroom figure, especially during his years as URN’s bureau chief in western Uganda. Colleagues quoted by The Observer described him as direct, energetic and deeply familiar with the Kigezi and wider western region, where he covered stories and built strong local contacts. Former co-workers also said he was willing to challenge editors, politicians and business figures when he believed reporting demanded it.

Beyond his reporting style, the piece says Kushaba was valued as a mentor and helper to younger journalists, often assisting colleagues with story guidance and practical support while on assignment. He left URN in December 2019 to take up his district communications role, and in a farewell message he thanked colleagues and spoke warmly about the friendships he had formed. The obituary-style report presents his death as a significant loss to URN and the broader media community in Uganda.