By Renowned Ugandan journalist and broadcaster, Shaka Ssali, who passed away on March 25, 2025, will be cremated in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday, April 9, in accordance with his final wishes. A public viewing and celebration of his life will be held that evening from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive. Family, friends, and admirers will gather to pay tribute to a man whose voice helped shape conversations on democracy, development, and governance across Africa.
Rather than being buried in his birthplace of Kabale, Southwestern Uganda, Ssali chose cremation a decision rooted in personal conviction and philosophy. His ashes will be returned to Uganda and scattered in Kabale, as well as across other regions of Africa he passionately promoted during his lifetime. His family says the gesture is a final expression of his deep belief in African unity and reflects a symbolic return to the places that moulded his career and identity.
His choice of cremation, while still rare among Ugandans, especially those born and raised in the country, is becoming more common in diaspora communities. In Uganda, burial traditions remain dominant, closely linked to notions of ancestry, land, and clan identity. Cremation is legal and offered at a few facilities such as the Kampala Capital City Authority’s crematorium at Bukasa Cemetery. However, it continues to face cultural and religious resistance.
Some Christian denominations have cautiously embraced cremation, provided it Honors the wishes of the deceased and is conducted with dignity. Among urban families, the practice is slowly gaining acceptance, influenced by rising funeral costs, limited burial space, and evolving spiritual outlooks.
For Ssali, cremation appeared to be more than a practical decision—it was a profound expression of how he wished to be remembered. Rather than resting in one place, his remains will travel the continent he devoted his life to uplifting through journalism.
