Uganda mourns the death of Former Voice of America Journalist Shaka Ssali

Shaka Ssali, a respected African journalist and longtime host of Straight Talk Africa, has passed away in Virginia, USA. He died on Thursday, March 27, 2025, just two weeks before his 72nd birthday.

Shaka was well-known for giving African leaders and everyday people a chance to speak openly about important issues like democracy, development, and leadership. His show aired on Voice of America (VOA) and ran for over 20 years. During that time, he built a strong reputation for speaking truthfully and fairly.

Born in Kabale District, Uganda, Shaka had a challenging start in life. He dropped out of school and even became a child soldier at one point. But later, he moved to the United States where his life changed. He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a doctorate in cross-cultural communication.

In May 2021, Shaka retired from VOA after serving there for 29 years—20 of those years he spent leading Straight Talk Africa as host and managing editor. He also won many awards, such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award, VoA’s Best Journalist Award, and the Uganda Diaspora Award in 2011.

During his career, Shaka interviewed many important African figures, including presidents, prime ministers, and scholars. But what made him stand out was his ability to mix these voices with opinions from everyday Africans. His powerful voice and deep questions gave a platform to both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless.

His legacy reached beyond journalism. In fact, he once dreamed of being a cowboy after watching old Western movies. “I looked up to people like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood,” he said in a 2021 interview. He also admired soldiers and thought they looked smart in uniform, which partly inspired him in his early years.

Recently, Shaka received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in African media. His fans and fellow journalists are mourning the loss. One admirer, Ronald Muhinda, described him as “a straight-talking journalist who gave Africa’s opposition and freedom fighters a voice on the world stage.”

Shaka’s story—from a poor village boy to an international media icon—is one that has inspired many people across Africa and beyond.

Source