KAMPALA, Uganda — A veteran Ugandan journalist has been shot dead in what police say is a targeted attack at his home on the outskirts of Kampala.
Joe Nam, 55, a former reporter with New Vision, was killed in the early hours of Sunday in Kawanda Central, Nabweru Division, Wakiso District.
Police said an unidentified masked gunman ambushed Nam at around 1 a.m. as he stepped outside for prayers.
His wife, who heard gunshots, discovered his body and alerted authorities. The attacker fled immediately after the shooting.
“The suspect, who was masked, fled the scene immediately after the incident,” Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigiyire said.
Owoyesigiyire confirmed that investigators had launched a manhunt and were processing the scene for forensic evidence.
“The body has been taken to the mortuary at Mulago for a post mortem as part of the investigations. The other teams are on ground to establish circumstances surrounding the incident and what could be the motive for the shooting,” he said.
Authorities have not made any arrests and are yet to determine the type of firearm used.
Investigators are examining multiple lines of inquiry, including whether the killing could be linked to Nam’s previous work in journalism or his consultancy activities following his retirement from active reporting.
Nam was known for covering business, environmental issues and politics during his tenure in Uganda’s media industry.
The killing has renewed scrutiny over gun-related crime in Uganda, where authorities continue to grapple with illegal firearms.
Data from the Uganda Police Force shows that firearm-related homicides have averaged about 206 cases annually over the past decade, equivalent to roughly 0.45 per 100,000 people.
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In 2025 alone, police recorded 190 murders by shooting out of a total of 4,328 deliberate killings nationwide.
Despite an overall decline in crime by 10.2% during the same period, experts warn that access to illicit weapons, many linked to past regional conflicts and cross-border trafficking, continues to fuel violent incidents.
Nam’s death has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s media fraternity, with colleagues describing him as a seasoned and committed journalist.
Press freedom advocates have increasingly raised concerns over the safety of journalists in the region, particularly in cases where investigations into killings or attacks remain unresolved.
