Legendary sports journalist Allan Ssekamatte dies

Uganda’s sports fraternity is mourning the death of veteran journalist Allan Ssekamatte, a respected voice whose work shaped sports reporting for over two decades.

Ssekamatte died on April 1, 2026, after battling heart complications. He had been receiving treatment at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital before his passing on Wednesday evening, according to reports.

He rose to national prominence through his work on The Scoreline, a popular sports programme on Monitor FM, now KFM, which first aired in 2001. He joined the show from Radio One’s Locker Room.

The programme aired daily from 6pm to 7pm and became a must-listen for sports fans, especially ahead of the 2002 Fifa World Cup in Korea and Japan.

Together with Mark Ssali, Ssekamatte formed a memorable duo. Ssali focused on deep analysis, while Ssekamatte stood out for his sharp recall of fixtures and scores. Beyond radio, he built a strong reputation as a columnist with the Daily Monitor, where his writing attracted a loyal audience.

Colleagues and fellow journalists have shared emotional tributes, remembering both his talent and personality.

Mark Ssali wrote, “Our beloved Allan Ssekamatte has passed on at Kiruddu Hospital. So long my brother, may God take charge.”

Mark Namanya said he admired Ssekamatte’s brilliance despite their many debates. He noted that they argued, laughed and disagreed, but he always respected his intelligence, describing him as “a marvel”.

Emmanuel Aupal recalled reading Ssekamatte’s articles as a child. He said he would always turn to the back page of newspapers to find his column, adding that his death is very unfortunate.

Clive Kyazze praised his contribution to sports journalism, saying it will never be forgotten.

David Lumansi also paid tribute, saying Ssekamatte, alongside his colleagues, inspired him to join the profession. He noted that their work on Monitor FM in 2002 pushed him to pursue sports broadcasting in his own way.

Ssekamatte leaves behind a strong legacy in Ugandan sports media, remembered for his knowledge, passion and impact on a generation of journalists.