Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s sports fraternity is mourning the death of veteran journalist, analyst, and talk show host Allan Ssekamatte, who passed away at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital after a prolonged battle with heart complications.
His death was confirmed by close friend and fellow veteran sports journalist, Mark Ssali.
“Dear friends, our beloved Allan Ssekamatte has passed away at Kiruddu Hospital. So long, my brother, may God take charge,” Ssali wrote.
Ssekamatte’s passing came just a day after Ssali had called on the sports fraternity to pray for him following a visit to the hospital, where his condition had deteriorated.
“I would like to let you all know that our ‘brother in arms’ Allan Ssekamatte is not doing well at all,” Ssali had earlier said.
“I am just leaving Kiruddu Hospital with Mark Namanya now, having been called in by his wife, and I can confirm that he is in a truly dire medical state, aggravated by the long-standing heart problem he has had. Please visit if you can, and please say your prayers for him.”
Family sources indicated that Ssekamatte, who was in his late 40s, had been undergoing treatment at Kiruddu Referral Hospital before his passing on Wednesday evening.
Ssekamatte rose to prominence through The Scoreline on Monitor FM (now KFM), one of Uganda’s most recognisable sports talk shows. The programme, which first aired in 2001, gained popularity for its engaging football discussions, particularly ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.
The show built a loyal following through the famous “Mark and Allan” combination, where Ssali provided in-depth analysis while Ssekamatte stood out for his exceptional command of fixtures, results, and statistics. His ability to recall detailed football data earned him admiration among fans and bettors alike.
Beyond radio, Ssekamatte also worked as a sports columnist with the Daily Monitor, where his articles were widely read for their depth and sharp insight into both local and international football. His writing helped readers understand complex issues in sports, including league management and national team performance.
His death marks a significant loss to Uganda’s sports journalism fraternity, where he was regarded as a knowledgeable, passionate, and influential voice.
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