An outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes has followed the death of veteran Ugandan sports journalist Allan Ssekamatte.
Most of the late journalist's colleagues, institutions and fans have described him as one of the finest minds in the country’s sports media landscape.
Ssekamatte, who was in his late 40s, died on Wednesday evening at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
Until his death, reports say he had been receiving treatment for heart-related complications. His passing has left a huge void in Uganda’s sports journalism fraternity.
News of his death quickly spread across media and social platforms, prompting an emotional wave of tributes from those who worked with him and those inspired by his work over the years.
But who was Ssekamatte?
Allan Ssekamatte was widely regarded as one of Uganda’s most knowledgeable and articulate sports journalists, with a career that spanned print, radio and television.
He built his reputation through sharp analysis, deep statistical command of games and an engaging on-air presence that resonated with audiences across generations.
He rose to prominence in the early 2000s during his time on WBS TV, where he co-hosted the popular weekly programme Sport On, forming a memorable partnership that helped shape sports broadcasting in Uganda.
His influence extended to radio, where he became a familiar voice on Monitor FM, now KFM, co-hosting evening sports shows that drew loyal audiences.
On Scoreline, a flagship sports talk show launched in 2001, Ssekamatte stood out for his remarkable command of fixtures and results, complementing in-depth analysis with precision and flair.
He has contributed to several news outlets including Razor PML Daily, and had remained a regular columnist in the Saturday Daily Monitor, where he hasbeen known for giving English Premier League predictions.
Since his death, tributes from across the sports and media fraternity have painted the picture of a man whose brilliance was matched by humility and warmth.
Mark Ssali, who worked closely with Ssekamatte at WBS TV, was among the first people to announce his death, describing him as a brother in a brief but emotional farewell.
“Dear friends, our beloved Allan Ssekamatte has passed on at Kiruddu Hospital. So long my brother, may God take charge.” Ssali posted.
Mark Namanya described him as a marvel and an intellectual force, reflecting on their many engagements: “I worked with Allan Ssekamatte. We spoke a lot of sport. We argued. We laughed. We debated. We disagreed. But all through our engagements, I was always in awe of his brilliance. Allan was a marvel; a very intelligent man who had, like all of us, shortcomings. RIP Mr Simonsen.”
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations described him as a respected and humble figure in sports journalism.
“His dedication, knowledge and humility left a lasting impact on Ugandan sports.” FUFA stated.
Tony Otoa of the Uganda National Oil Company described him as a guiding figure and dependable colleague from his early days in the newsroom.
“Allan was a brother and one of my first workmates! He showed me the ropes when I joined Daily Monitor back in the day. Kind comrade. This is a shock to me.” Otoa stated.
Ben Mwine of Next Media described him as part of an unmatched era of sports punditry, recalling their shared experiences across different stations: “I had the privilege of working with Allan at Radio One, Monitor Fm and Power Fm.That Trio of him, Joseph Kabuleta and Mark Ssali will never be matched in sports punditry.Rest well Simonsen!”
Emmanuel Aupal described him as a constant presence in his childhood reading, recalling how Ssekamatte’s columns drew him to the sports pages: “I remember right when I was a child, reading the Newspapers bought by my Dad...I would always turn to the back page to read the Sports columns and will always find a piece by Allan Ssekamatte. It's very unfortunate that he is no more.”
James Beyanga described him as a versatile and gentle soul, reflecting on years of working together on radio.
“Very sad to hear the passing of Allan Simonsen Ssekamate…a versatile, brilliant sports journalist. Allan was a very knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects as he was in sports. And a gentle soul. Worked together for many years at Monitor FM, later as his producer on 933 KFM .Hadn’t seen him for sometime, it’s a blessing working with Allan.” Beyanga stated.
NTV journalist David Lumansi described him as a source of inspiration who shaped his own career path in sports journalism.
"The trio of u, Allan and Kabuleeta inspired me into this job while u were working on Monitor FM in 2002. I told myself that i could try what u do, but since i couldn't fit your quality, i thought i could do a Luganda version once an opportunity arose. RIP Allan” Lumansi posted.
As tributes continue to pour in, many agree that Ssekamatte’s legacy will endure through the generations of journalists and sports enthusiasts he inspired, and through the standards he set in Ugandan sports media.