For those who knew Anthony Kushaba at Uganda Radio Network (URN), it is almost impossible to remember him without hearing his voice. Kushaba, the younger brother to exiled human rights lawyer and activist, Eron Kiiza, died of heart failure, according to the postmortem report on August 21, aged 38. He was found dead inside his residence after he failed to report to work on Friday. Direct, sometimes inconvenient, often hilarious and rarely tempered by the status of whoever he was addressing, Kushaba was a commanding presence in the newsroom. Nearly six feet tall and powerfully built, he carried an energy and confidence that could fill a room.He spoke with conviction, laughed easily and could argue fiercely without taking disagreements personally. He could challenge an editor in a meeting, make colleagues laugh at a media gathering and, away from the newsroom, quietly help a colleague find accommodation while on assignment.Depending on whom you asked, Kushaba was a demanding journalist, an unapologetically straightforward colleague, a loyal friend, a mentor and, at times, a man who seemed determined to make life difficult for people who preferred journalists to be less troublesome.That is perhaps why news of his death has been difficult to absorb.A voice of his ownKushaba left URN in December 2019 to concentrate on his new role as communications officer for Ntungamo district. In a farewell email to colleagues on December 6, he expressed both excitement about the new opportunity and sadness at leaving the people with whom he had worked for seven years.The warmth in that message revealed another side of a man often remembered for his bluntness. He thanked colleagues by name and acknowledged those who had influenced his life and career, including Kanyali, whom he credited with teaching him to value his family and give it priority.“This might be the end of my time with Uganda Radio Network, but it’s definitely not the end of our friendship,” he wrote.A journalist who knew his regionSamuel Gummah Nabaasa, executive director of URN, remembers Kushaba as a journalist who knew western Uganda intimately.“Kushaba was the archetypal bureau chief. You could walk with him into any radio station, from Rubirizi to Kisoro, Kanungu to Kiruhura, and he was at home. Everybody knew him, and he seemed to know every corner of the region, the main roads, the shortcuts, the village paths and even the odd places where drunkards hid during the day,” Nabaasa said.Nabaasa recalled Kushaba’s first general meeting at URN, where he pitched Kabale as a possible destination for a staff retreat. His description of the area’s “wet-warm” and “cold-dry” seasons left such an impression that colleagues began calling him “Wet-Warm”.For Nabaasa, the nickname captured Kushaba’s character: knowledgeable, passionate about his region and always capable of leaving people with a story.Tom Malaba, an investigative journalist and former URN colleague now based in Ottawa, said Kushaba’s death came as a shock. Malaba remembers how difficult it was to secure a position at URN, where editors in Kampala looked for journalists capable of producing distinctive, people-centred stories.“Kushaba had that willingness to learn. He was always a go-getter,” Malaba said.Kushaba joined URN as bureau chief for Kigezi, taking on a demanding role that required constant learning.Wilson Akiiki Kaija, a former URN editor and media trainer at Makerere University, believes Kushaba was often misunderstood because of his directness.“Some people don’t understand Kushaba. If you failed to, you’d think he was arrogant, entitled, all those negative connotations,” Kaija said.But, he added, Kushaba was simply straightforward.“If he wasn’t happy with you, he’d tell you, whether you were his boss or not.”That candour extended to editors, the editor-in-chief and even the executive director. Yet behind the bluntness was a strong work ethic.“As far as his work ethic is concerned, he was high up there,” Kaija said, adding that Kushaba’s word could be trusted.“What he told you, you could take to the bank. He spoke the truth.”Unafraid to challenge powerKushaba’s independence also shaped his journalism. Kaija recalled powerful politicians and businesspeople in Kigezi repeatedly calling for Kushaba to be removed from his job. On one occasion, an RDC reportedly asked that he be transferred because he was “becoming a problem”.For Kaija, such complaints reflected the journalist’s commitment to his profession.“He always stood for the truth and stood for journalism,” he said.David Jack Tumusiime, an editor and writer who worked with Kushaba, remembers a man whose presence was difficult to miss.“You heard Anthony Kushaba before you saw him,” Tumusiime said, describing his energy, passion and wholehearted laughter.But beyond the personality was a journalist who took his work seriously.“Above all, Anthony Kushaba was a really good journalist,” Tumusiime said.He said Kushaba was fearless in exposing political and business malpractice, particularly when ordinary people were affected. He pursued such stories with facts and fairness and remained available to those he reported on when they wanted to clarify or strengthen a story.“Kushaba was a delight to edit,” Tumusiime said, because beneath the strong opinions was a journalist who genuinely cared about getting the story right.Salume, another former colleague, remembers Kushaba as an open-hearted, kind and intelligent journalist who was deeply committed to his profession. He also remembers his generosity with knowledge.“He generously mentored other journalists, helping them grow. Personally, he mentored me. I would call him on my mobile and he would guide me,” Salume said.Edward Bindhe remembers how Kushaba navigated URN’s demanding newsroom, where reporters were expected to pitch stories every morning and defend their relevance.“Working with URN is not like other news agencies,” Bindhe said. “It’s demanding, and settling in can be tough. Kushaba would come to me and ask, ‘Edward, how do you do it?’ He kept asking until he understood the rhythm.”Once he mastered the newsroom’s demands, Bindhe said, Kushaba quickly established himself.“Once he mastered the style, he became a star. I remember him doing so many stories, sometimes more than some of us who’d been there longer.”More than a journalistKushaba’s impact extended beyond his journalism. Ronald Odong, who met him during URN orientation in 2012 when both had been recruited as bureau chiefs, remembers how their professional relationship developed into friendship and eventually brotherhood.“Such an energetic Mukiga,” Odong recalled. “He instilled in me the culture of hard work, resilience, and never giving up, no matter how difficult the task.”Dr John-Baptist Imokola, a media professional and lecturer at Makerere University, remembers Kushaba as a dependable bureau chief who could be counted on to deliver.“There were reporters and bureau chiefs who would pick a story and then disappear. Kushaba would not disappear,” Imokola said.Even when he encountered difficulties with a story, Imokola said, Kushaba would contact editors, explain the challenge and work with them to find a way forward.“He was also a very good coordinator, very consistent. His correspondents were happy with his work.”Away from journalism, colleagues remember a generous and practical friend. When journalists travelling through the region needed accommodation, Kushaba would make bookings for them without expecting anything in return.“That’s not about work. That’s personal, friendly level,” Kaija said.Kushaba also mentored younger journalists. He recruited and mentored Samuel Amanya before eventually handing over the Kigezi bureau to him.Odong perhaps captures that side of Kushaba most simply: “Anthony was a selfless man, a social fellow, and above all, a journalist who pursued and told every story with sacrifice.”A lasting legacyKushaba leaves behind the memory of a young journalist who never stopped asking questions, a man eager to learn and an energetic professional who taught colleagues resilience, honesty and perseverance.He was not perfect. He could be difficult, stubborn and blunt to a fault. But he was real.Born on June 28, 1988, in Rwahi-Rwentobo town council, Ntungamo district. He will be laid to rest on August 23 at his ancestral home in Katooma village, Rwentonbo, Rwahi town council, Ntungamo district.The post Anthony Kushaba: Journalist who wouldn’t stay quiet goes silent appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.