ENTEBBE
Two staff members of Next Media have died, and another is fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following a road accident along Entebbe Road in the early hours of Friday, August 7, 2026.
The deceased have been identified as Badru Kasirye and Isaac Ndamagye, their colleague, Brian Ssemanda, popularly known as Makona, a prominent entertainment media personality, sustained severe bodily injuries and is currently receiving treatment under close medical supervision in the ICU, the media house management announced.
Next Media management confirmed the tragedy and stated that they remain in direct contact with the medical team at the hospital.
“We remain in direct contact with the hospital and will share updates on his condition as they become available,” the statement said.
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), in a condolence message, described the incident as disturbing and conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families, friends, the media fraternity and the entire Next Media family.
“Once again, we have woken up to the disturbing news of the passing away of Next Media staff… We send our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, media fraternity, and Next Media family. May their souls rest in peace,” UJA said in a statement, while praying for Makona’s quick recovery.
The cause of the crash had not been established by press time, while details surrounding the accident remained scanty.
Next Media appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved families and Ssemanda’s family as they cope with the tragedy and his ongoing treatment.
SP Racheal Kawala, the spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police confirmed the reports, but said police was still gathering more details regarding this incident.
The deaths come as another painful loss to Uganda’s media fraternity, which has continued to mourn journalists and media workers lost in road crashes and other incidents. In February this year, Julius Kitone, who was also working for NBS TV died in a fatal crash at Kibega 1 village along Lyantonde – Mbarara Highway, when a drone motor vehicle in which he was traveling collided with a trailer killing seven people, and injuring several others. Kitone was buried in Kiteredde Cell, Magabi Ward, Ntantamuki Town l, Rakai district.
May their Souls Rest In Peace and Speedy Recovery to Makona.
