St Francis Chapel, Makerere University, is a sombre scene today, Tuesday, August 5, as a requiem mass in held in honour of journalism and communication scholar Brian Ssemujju.
For many, it is still difficult to believe that a man whose mind glowed so fiercely could be extinguished so soon.
Dr Ssemujju died at the age of 44 on Sunday, August 3, 2025, following a quiet battle with cancer that he reportedly chose not to treat.
Known in his arts moonlighting circles as Don Zamo, Dr Ssemujju was a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, a respected media theorist, Fulbright Program alumni representative, and a uniquely gifted scholar whose life straddled both rigorous academia and artistic expression.
“He didn’t want to bother anyone,” a lecturer at Makerere recalled. “That’s just who he was. Strong-willed, perhaps hardened by a difficult childhood. He was the old professor type — stubborn, brilliant, and quietly burdened.”
Born on October 6, 1980, Dr Ssemujju’s academic journey took him from Uganda Christian University, where he earned a BA in Mass Communication in 2006, to the rank of senior lecturer at Makerere University.
He was among the founding editorial staff of The Standard at UCU in 2007 and played a key role in building what is now the School of Journalism, Media and Communication.
He was known for teaching communication theory with extraordinary clarity and depth. His research focused on African perspectives in global media discourse, and he consistently challenged Western frameworks that dominate the field.
The US Mission in Uganda paid tribute to him with the words: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Brian Ssemujju, Senior Lecturer at Makerere and a dedicated Fulbright Program alumni representative with the US Alumni Uganda Network. His contributions to journalism, education, and US-Uganda academic exchange will be remembered with great admiration.”
Colleagues at Uganda Christian University described him as “an erudite scholar and pillar,” noting that he taught and mentored with “devotion and brilliance.”
The UCU Alumni Association wrote: “His enormous contribution to the research, teaching and mentoring in higher learning institutions and the media industry is a mark he has left for his country.”
Yet despite his professional stature, Dr Ssemujju lived a deeply private life. He had separated from his longtime partner and lived alone in staff housing at Makerere with only a maid.
Those close to him say he had little contact with family, even when his health began to decline. Hospital staff reportedly struggled to find a next of kin when his condition worsened.
“I think he was just too principled. He didn’t want to involve others,” said a lecturer at Makerere. “But in his early 40s, an attempt at chemo would have been in order.”
Dr Ssemujju’s life was filled with contrasts. While quiet in demeanour, he was rich in passion — a martial artist, a musician, and a part-time deejay.
Under the alias Don Zamo, he released socially conscious tracks like "Ekitaffeeri", focused on HIV/AIDS awareness, and "Totema Miti", a song about deforestation. His art was rooted in activism, using music to educate and mobilize.
He also served as President of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Uganda, where he was known for his vision and dedication to strengthening academic exchange.
Through all of this, he remained a man firmly anchored in ideas — one who cared more for thought than for comfort or acclaim.
Dr Aisha Nakiwala, head of the Journalism Department at Makerere, broke the news to the university community.
“I wish to share with you the sad news of the death of our colleague and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, Dr Brian Ssemujju,” she wrote.
“He passed away this evening at a hospital in Kampala. Dr Ssemujju might have shared a class or taught some members here. It is unfortunate that we have lost him at this time.”
One former student said, “He didn’t just teach theory — he challenged us to question everything, to be brave with our thoughts.”
For all his quiet and his solitude, Dr Brian Ssemujju leaves behind an enormous intellectual and emotional footprint. His lectures, his articles, his music, and even his silence carried meaning. He lived alone, but taught thousands. He asked for little, but gave profoundly.
Uganda has lost a mind too rare and too soon.
