crime 19 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Killers of Veteran Journalist Joe Nam Took Only His Phone, Sparking Targeted Attack Suspicions
Assailants who fatally shot veteran Vision Group journalist Joe Nam at his home in Wakiso district took only his mobile phone, ignoring other valuables, which has led residents to suspect a targeted hit rather than a random robbery. The 55-year-old was killed around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, with police investigations ongoing. Source: https://observer.ug/news/veteran-journalist-joe-nam-killers-also-took-his-phone
Veteran journalist Joe Nam, aged 55 and a long-time contributor to Vision Group, was shot dead at his residence in Kawanda Central Zone, Nabweru Division, Wakiso district. The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Local residents expressed shock, noting that the attackers only seized Nam’s mobile phone while leaving behind other valuables. This has fueled beliefs that the killing was deliberate and not a mere robbery.
George Sserunkuma, a neighbor and local council elder, described the scene: “He was a born-again Christian who often prayed outside. They took only his phone—nothing else. This doesn’t resemble a typical break-in.”
Sserunkuma added that gunshots were initially mistaken for noise from a late-night football match, with dogs barking beforehand. The community discovered Nam’s body the next morning after police arrived.
Nam had been seen alive just hours earlier during group exercises, a routine the neighbors maintained for five years since the COVID-19 period. They affectionately called him ‘uncle.’
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that homicide detectives from Kampala Metropolitan North have processed the scene. A police K9 unit was deployed but found no major leads. Nam’s body was conveyed to City Mortuary in Mulago.
Nam, who resided in Kawanda for about a decade, covered business, politics, and environmental stories. He authored The Day Museveni Goes: Reflections—Questions—Fears—Hope and recently worked as a consultant.
Police data shows a slight rise in fatal shootings, with 190 murder-by-shooting cases in 2025 compared to 188 in 2024.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)