HAJI FARUK KIRUNDA: Tamale Mirundi: Matchless genius goes to rest

Uganda has had generations of people, but there are those who will forever hold their own place even when they are gone.

Departed Joseph Tamale Mirundi, a journalist of longstanding and diversity of talent, a social and political analyst, former long-serving presidential press secretary and, at the time of his death on Tuesday last week, senior presidential adviser on media affairs, is one such titan.

Tamale Mirundi will never die in the true sense of the word because his work will stand the test of time.

It is always said that artist(e)s, authors, great thinkers, influencers (of society), trailblazers and innovators never die. Tamale Mirundi did a lot in his career that forgetting him isn’t an option.

He was a media colossus whose words of wisdom, laced with colourful language and gesticulation in the age of digital media will keep him in our eyes, ears and minds until kingdom come.

You only have to head to YouTube and see clips of Tamale rain down in torrents, with huge followings each time.

He was material for emojis and GIFs, among the few Ugandans “honoured” that way in a space where Nigerians take the pie.

Any media platform where Tamale featured won a following because of him and I recall very well rankings which placed his shows as the most followed in the country.

While still serving as the PPS, he did more than his portfolio called him to do. He had an independent mind and a way of doing things. He didn’t mind if what he said did not exactly reflect his boss, the President’s mind, as long as he said what he wanted or believed was true to his knowledge. You can’t help but respect such a man who was autonomous yet loyal to the Big Man. That he served for over 10 years as PPS was a feat, but more of a reflection of the kind of appointing authority that we have in His Excellency the President. He appoints you and lets you exercise your finest ability. Tamale enjoyed this benefaction. The President doesn’t drink alcohol, but he didn’t make a farce about Tamale’s love for the bottle.

Tamale’s work matched with all generations; his wisdom was a seller to all. I verily believe that he could have become an in international brand in the league from Prof. PLO Lumumba of Kenya. His letdown was rather a social issue, and that was none other than overdrinking — without eating.

For us who knew him closely understood that he had this problem and tried to talk him out of the habit without much success. That is what weakened him. If he had overcome this problem, he would have gone a long way.

He was very wise and gifted with a sharp memory. He had a unique and detailed awareness of global issues. Anytime you introduced an issue, he had it all worked out and commented on it fittingly. Up to the moment of his demise last Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Tamale was lucid. I was with him from 10:00am to 2:00pm in his hospital ward and he was talking well. His two wives were present and we were planning on further medical management for him the next day. His memory was okay. Also present was another outstanding media man and close friend of Tamale, Simon Muyanga Lutaaya.

The patient still didn’t want to eat, but was vocal as usual. We were on phone with Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, the senior presidential adviser on defence and security matters.

Now, that may surprise some people as Tamale was thought not to be on good terms with Gen. Nalweyiso.

For those conversant with the goings-on in State House, we know that what was thought to be a rift wasn’t of bad blood. There was no personal hatred. It was a matter of approach to duty, more so public commentary.

Tamale was a hard hitter — okukuba ku mutwe (hitting on the head in his barbed and no-holds barred style, which usually got him in the bad books of some). Hopefully, now that he is gone, bygones will be bygones.

Gen. Nalweyiso is someone not given to wars of words and public exchanges. She wasn’t fond of Tamale’s ways of nearly going personal. It so happened that the deceased got in some kind of trouble with some of those he tongue-lashed and wanted special protection, yet this was his own doing.

In the course of guiding him on how to avoid more trouble, the parental general found herself misunderstood by the hyperactive “son” and others who heard about the “rift”. But she was there for him all along even during his last hour on earth. Otherwise, the two were close and it was Nalweyiso who secured for Tamale the machines that he used to print his series of books, medical attention and other support from President Museveni.

Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, the former State House comptroller, was also at hand. Prolific and gifted people tend to behave in their own way which cannot be explained by fellow mortals.

Tamale was not perfect, but he was very useful and a friend of many. I urge his children to seek reconciliation (on his behalf) with those he may have rubbed the wrong way. Those he hurt should not carry it over to his children and legacy.

I propose a monument in his honour by the journalists’ club in celebration of his multiplicity and long service in media practice! The truth is, it will be very difficult to fill the shoes of Joseph Tamale Mirundi, like we have never had another Maj. Gen. Kasirye Ggwanga. These are men, whether you agreed with them or not, you had no choice, but listen to them.

I thank all those who thronged various points to celebrate his life and finally accompany him to his final resting place in Kalisizo, Kyotera district, led by the Vice-President, Maj. Jessica Alupo Epel, who represented His Excellency the President.

Fare thee well, my friend and mentor, Joseph Tamale Mirundi ‘Omukukunavu’! Until we meet again!

The writer is the deputy Presidential Press Secretary

faruk.kirunda@statehouse.go.ug

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