Shaka Ssali, the former host of Voice of America’s (VOA) flagship weekly program, Straight Talk Africa, has passed away. Fondly known as the “Kabale Kid,” Ssali reportedly died in Virginia, USA, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to media in Africa.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Shaka Ssali, the longtime host of VOA’s Straight Talk Africa. Ssali, a revered journalist and broadcaster, passed away at the age of 71, just two weeks shy of his 72nd birthday. He leaves behind an indelible legacy in African journalism.
For more than two decades, Ssali was the face and voice of Straight Talk Africa, where he engaged African leaders, analysts, and citizens in critical discussions on democracy, governance, and development. Shaka Ssali insightful interviews and unwavering commitment to press freedom earned him widespread respect across the continent and beyond,” said VOA in a statement.
Shaka held a doctorate degree in cross-cultural communication from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Born in Kabale District, he retired from Voice of America in May 2021 after 29 years, 20 of which he spent as the founder, host, and later managing editor of the legendary Straight Talk Africa talk show.
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Shaka lived an inspirational life, rising from a village boy in southwestern Uganda who dropped out of school and became a child soldier, to achieving his dreams in the United States and influencing lives beyond borders. He interviewed many of Africa’s most notable figures in academia, business, and politics, including presidents and prime ministers, while connecting their thoughts with those of ordinary citizens.
This created a vital discourse about contemporary leadership, governance, and the development agenda for Africa, ultimately envisioning a better future for the continent. His resonant voice echoed from the VOA studios, creating a platform for both the rich and poor, as well as the powerful and powerless across Africa, to interact.
Dr. Shaka was a former Ford Foundation fellow and received numerous honors, including a United Nations Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award in International Journalism, as reported by various sources. Throughout his distinguished journalism career, he earned awards such as VOA’s Best Journalist Award, the Uganda Diaspora Award in 2011, and the maiden Highest Achievement Award in International Human Communication from his alma mater, Kigezi College Butobere.
The news of his passing sent shockwaves through the community. One of his admirers, Mr. Ronald Muhinda, eulogized Ssali as “a straight-talking journalist who, fairly and without bias, gave Africa’s opposition and liberation movements a voice on the world stage.”
In a 2021 interview with VOA, Dr. Ssali shared that a series of events inspired him to pursue journalism. “When I was a kid, my father had a radio called ‘Pie,’ and he listened to it every day. I would join him by the fireplace in the living room to listen to those voices. Initially, I was not thinking about journalism; I dreamed of becoming a cowboy, inspired by figures like John Wayne, Gene Autry, and Clint Eastwood,” he said.
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Reflecting on his inspiration to join the military, Dr. Ssali added, “Sometimes, I would admire soldiers in uniform; they looked very smart and had access to weapons, which intrigued me. I liked their discipline and parade. During my time in primary school and junior high, I was part of the boys’ brigade, which eventually led me to the military, not realizing how conservative and disciplined that institution was.”
He later left the military to pursue journalism because he wanted to address the abuse of power he witnessed among military colleagues. “When I left the army, my first thought was to learn journalism so I could inform people and use it as a tool to advocate for social, economic, and political justice for all,” he stated.