Dennis Busulwa: Ugandan who conquered Tanzania’s media industry buried in Kayunga

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“Generals don’t cry… But you will excuse me…” former security minister Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde said as he struggled to hold back tears that were rolling down his cheeks during the burial of Dennis Busulwa, a Ugandan lawyer in Kisaaba village, Kayunga district, on Tuesday.

Tumukunde said Busulwa, who was fondly known as Ssebo across Tanzania’s media industry, was his friend. He passed away at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 10, after a short illness.

Former security minister Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde said as he struggled to hold back tears that were rolling down his cheeks during the burial of Dennis Busulwa. (Courtesy photo)

At the time of his death, Busulwa was the director of operations and business at EFM Radio and TVE, a media conglomerate in Tanzania.

Although he left Uganda in 2001 to pursue a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Dar es Salaam, he branched off and had a successful career in broadcasting, starting out as a presenter on East African TV and Radio.

After graduating in 2005, he chose to remain in Tanzania, where he had an illustrious career in broadcasting under the pseudonym Ssebo.

He was popular for his East African TV and radio programme Ug Central, through which he projected Ugandan music to the rest of East Africa, together with the late DJ Bush Baby (Michael Benjamin Owor). DJ Bush Baby also passed away in June last year.

After East Africa TV and Radio, Busulwa joined EFM Radio and TVE as the director of operations and business until his death on March 10 this year. He is credited with having grown the media house from a small station to a multi-billion-dollar media conglomerate.

Busulwa is also credited with promoting the Singeli genre of music from the ghettos of Dar es Salaam to the upscale suburbs of Tanzania’s urban centres.

Burial

During the burial on Tuesday, Busulwa’s friends from Tanzania described him as a friendly and creative leader who left an indelible mark on Tanzania’s media industry.

“He was not only a boss, but a mentor, teacher and a father figure to many employees. He was our business leader and connected us to many companies in Tanzania,” Isaac Ndawula, who spoke on behalf of Busulwa’s workmates, said.

The burial ceremony was attended by Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj Gen Paul Kisesa, former security minister Gen Henry Tumukunde, former lands minister Daudi Migereko, Kayunga Woman MP-elect Harriet Nakwede, local government leaders, representatives from the Buganda kingdom, among others.

Tumukunde vows to support Busulwa’s family

Addressing mourners, Gen Tumukunde described Busulwa as a close friend and pledged to support his son, mother and widow following the demise of their breadwinner.

“I want us to appoint a committee of his friends that will look after Busulwa’s son, who spoke here, so that he continues receiving a good education. I propose that Sadock Mangai (a Tanzanian lawyer and Busulwa’s foster father in Tanzania) propose the names of that committee of friends. I am willing to participate in it… We shall form that committee with a clear objective, to make sure that the boy does not reduce his standards. We shall also give attention to the sickly mother. The wife is young and should she choose to take more courses, we shall act accordingly,” Tumukunde said.

Tumukunde requested Busulwa’s friends and family to nurture Busulwa’s son and reintegrate him into the Tanzanian society, where his deceased father had found a second home.

“We want to bring him as a Ugandan, but reconstitute him into a society that the father was most comfortable in. I will ask my brother Migereko if we can start a radio, not for money, but to honour Busulwa’s name,” he said.

Celebrated in Tanzania

Tumukunde hailed the Tanzanian Government for honouring Busulwa with a befitting send-off.

“I flew to Dar es Salaam when Dennis died. I was amazed by the way Tanzanians celebrated him. Seven ministers were present in the cathedral in Tanzania, including representatives of the President and the Prime Minister, when we were honouring Dennis. There were also mayors and other leaders. To the Tanzanian brethren, we are grateful,” he said.

Migereko eulogises Busulwa

Migereko described Busulwa as a person who helped him when one of his relatives was getting married to the family of former Tanzanian President Hassan Mwinyi.

“We did not know the right Swahili words to use when we were dealing with Tanzanians... All of a sudden, I was told that there was a gentleman who was both Ugandan and Tanzanian. That this man was an East African in every sense of the word. He made our work very easy when our son was getting married to a Tanzanian family,” he said.

Migereko said he last spoke to Busulwa during the 2025 Christmas period and appealed to Uganda to maintain the linkage that Busulwa had opened between Uganda and Tanzania.

Tanzania’s high commissioner to Uganda described Busulwa as an individual who lived an exemplary life.

“To Uganda, we are grateful for giving us, Dennis. To the team from Tanzania, thank you for escorting our friend and brother all the way from Dar es Salaam to his resting place,” Ambassador Kisesa said.

Tributes from Ugandans

Dr Isaac Tibasima, a lecturer at Makerere University, described Busulwa as a brilliant guy.

“I remember how he got 25 points at A’level after struggling at O’level and how that not only inspired us who were a year below him. Henry Muloki House lost an amazing man! So sad to see him go at just 50. Journey well, Dennis,” he said.

Lucky Mbabazi, a radio presenter and digital content creator, described Busulwa as a person who opened doors for many.

“You were a great mentor, friend and one of the funniest people i know. Most of our conversations were filled with laughter and great ideas. Waking up to the news of your passing hit hard and made me realise how fast things can change. Dennis Busulwa aka Ssebo, thank you for sharing your gift with us. For opening doors for many and for being a good human being. My condolences go out to your family and friends, especially in Tanzania. May your soul rest in eternal peace,” she posted on her social media platforms.

Ugandan musician Ernest Nsimbitulye, who is commonly known as GNL Zamba, described Busulwa as the person who introduced him to the Tanzanian market.

“I remember when Ssebo gave me my first interview in Dar es Salaam, introducing me to the Tanzanian market. We had a show in town during his time at Channel 5. Alongside Bush Baby, he helped hold the East African media space together and encouraged Ugandan, Tanzanian, and Kenyan creatives to collaborate and grow together. A void still gaping to this day! A proud alumnus of the great hill, Kiira College Butiki. You will be greatly missed, Ssebo,” he posted on her social media platforms.

At the time of his death, Busulwa was the director of operations and business at EFM Radio and TVE, a media conglomerate in Tanzania.

Brief profile of Busulwa

Busulwa was born on February 28, 1975, to Toepista Nakafu and the late David Busulwa in Namengo, Lugazi Municipality. He is the lastborn in a family of eight children and the only boy. He went to Lugazi Community Primary School and then joined Kiira College Butiki for secondary education in 1995.

In 2001, he joined the University of Dar es Salaam for the Bachelor of Laws under the sponsorship of the Ugandan government after he became the second-best arts student in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams of the year 2000. A year after joining law school, he became a presenter at East Africa Radio/TV. In 2014, he joined EFM Radio and TVE in Tanzania as the director of operations and business until his death on March 10 this year. He was married to Claire Busulwa, with whom he had a son.