KAMPALA – Police have launched a manhunt following the fatal shooting of a former journalist in Kampala, in an attack authorities believe may have been planned.
The victim, Joe Nam, who previously worked with New Vision, was shot at close range by an unidentified assailant wearing a face covering. The suspect fled immediately after the attack, leaving the victim critically injured at the scene.
Joe Nam, 55, a retired journalist who worked for New Vision (Uganda’s leading daily newspaper) in the late 2000s, covering business, environment, politics, and features. After leaving journalism, he worked in consultancy, tourism, marketing, and authored a book titled “When Museveni goes: Reflections, questions, fears, hope”.
He was shot dead around 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his home in Kawanda Central, Nabweru Division, Wakiso District (a suburb of Kampala). According to reports, a masked, unidentified gunman ambushed him as he stepped outside (possibly for prayers); his wife heard the shots and found him dead. The assailant fled immediately.
Kampala Metropolitan Police and Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area police (spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire) have launched investigations into the murder by shooting. They are probing the motive, examining the type of firearm used, and treating it as a planned attack by a masked assailant. No arrests have been reported yet, and a manhunt is underway.
According to the Uganda Police Force, preliminary findings suggest the manner of the attack points to prior planning.
“The way the suspect approached and quickly fled indicates possible preparation,” a senior investigating officer said. “We are treating this as a serious criminal case and are pursuing all available leads.”
Witnesses described a sudden and chaotic scene moments after the shooting.
“At first, I thought it was a burst tyre,” said a boda boda rider who was nearby. “Then people started shouting and running. When I got closer, I found police already at the scene.”
Residents in the area expressed fear and concern following the incident.
“It is very disturbing. You don’t expect something like this to happen in broad daylight,” said a resident identified as Olive. “People are now afraid even to walk around here.”
Security analysts note that the use of a mask suggests an attempt to conceal identity and delay identification.
“In such cases, investigators rely heavily on CCTV footage and tracking movement patterns to reconstruct events and identify escape routes,” a Kampala-based security researcher said.
Police have since cordoned off the area as forensic teams collect evidence, including ballistic material, and review surveillance footage from nearby locations. Authorities are also appealing to the public for information that could help identify the suspect.
“We are coordinating multiple units to track down the attacker,” a police spokesperson said. “Anyone with information is urged to come forward.”
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and police have not confirmed whether the victim had reported any prior threats.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about urban security, with calls from residents and media professionals for enhanced safety measures and quicker response to violent crime.
