Veteran journalist John Jones Sserwanga during an interview at the Monitor Bureau office in Masaka
Salongo John Jones Sserwanga, who is believed to be Uganda’s oldest journalist, has passed on at the age of 102.
Sserwanga died at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital on Saturday evening, where he had been admitted two weeks ago after complaining of poor health, according to Mr Jude Ssonko, a presenter at Masaka-based Radio Buddu, where the deceased had worked for 14 years hosting a Saturday evening show Ebirwaawo byerabirwa (about Uganda’s history ).
He said the old man lost his appetite one-and-a half months ago and could not eat well, which could have weakened his body.
“Mzee John Jones had a stomach complication and was not eating well, yet he had to undergo treatment, and given his advanced age, both could have conspired to take his life, but are still waiting for a post-mortem report,” he said in an interview on Sunday.
He said John Jones, as he is popularly known in Masaka, will be remembered for being a very intelligent man who, even after getting too old he could easily remember things that happened 50 years ago.
Despite his advanced age, John Jones has been walking on the streets of Masaka unaccompanied and could climb stairs to a storied building, including Buddu Plaza, the home of Radio Buddu.
Farish Magembe, the president of Greater Masaka Journalists Association, said Sserwanga has been a resourceful person to young journalists, and many could run to him for guidance.
“He has loved the profession to his last breath. Many journalists serve for a few years and quit, but Mzee John Jones has always been that symbol that one can be a Journalist for life and an inspiration to all of us. His passing is a big blow to our fraternity, and we will dearly miss him,” he said
Mr Michael J Ssali, a veteran journalist who worked with Sserwanga for three decades, eulogised him as a good storyteller and friend to many.
“He was my personal friend and a good storyteller. He loved journalism with passion, and always immaculately dressed in a suit, he would often tease me for not wearing a suit and neck tie as he did. He also had interesting stories about his days at Mengo when he was part of the Kabaka’s motorcade, riding a big black motorcycle beside Edward Mutesa II Rolls-Royce.
He took pride in having been fairly close to Ssekabaka Mutesa II. He was a very honest man and always reliable, especially about money matters,” he said
Daily Monitor last interviewed Sserwanga last November when he was speaking about his longtime friend Hussein Ssengendo, 99, a former magistrate.
A vigil is underway at his home in Kyawuunyi-Kanyogoga Ward, Masaka City, and burial will take place on Thursday at the family ancestral grounds in Kikungwe Village, Kimaanya-Kabonera Municipality.