Veteran presidential press photographer Joseph Ouma laid to rest in Busia

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Veteran presidential press photographer, Joseph Wedundwe Ouma, was laid to rest Saturday (October 18) in Uganda's eastern district of Busia.

In his illustrious career, Ouma captured images of former Ugandan presidents Apollo Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Godfrey Binaisa, and current president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

But when he was not busy clicking away at high-profile figures, Ouma was also a loving family man.

"He was a great father who valued uniting both girls and boys to attain a better education," said son Wilfred Sanya, who is also a vastly experienced photojournalist working with New Vision.

He said his father championed a campaign against HIV & AIDS, and for his efforts, he received an award in 2002.

Addressing mourners, Pastor Rose Mucunguzi described her father as a teacher and disciplinarian, the reason she said they are all disciplined children.

(Photo by Francis Emorut)

(Photo by Francis Emorut)

She was his pastor and said that before Ouma's death, "he gave his life to Christ. We should not be worried".

Describing the late as "a photographic giant", Mucunguzi pledged to fulfil her father's vision of building a museum for photography.

Ouma was born on December 17, 1940 and years later worked as a presidential press photographer from 1972 until 2002.

He died of prostate cancer aged 84 on October 6, 2025, and he is now survived by two widows — Catherine Ouma and Enid Ouma —, nine children and grandchildren.

He was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Galamubiri village in Busia.

Grace Nekesa described her father as a friend who taught them to be honest, work hard, do their best and be resilient.

She pointed mourners to the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, which talks of there being a time for everything: time to enjoy, time to mourn and time to die.

The representatives of the grandchildren said their grandpa valued education for all and therefore, they urged parents and guardians to spend their resources in educating their children.

Other speakers shared their eulogies.



"Mzee Ouma was instrumental in bringing up diligent, dedicated and hardworking children, and that is why State House has employed Grace to handle special assignments," said Joseph Hirya at the burial ceremony.

Hirya is the director of audit at the Office of the Auditor General and represented his boss, Edward Akol, the Auditor General.

While delivering their condolence message, he told mourners that the late Ouma was a family friend.

Officials from the lands ministry and representatives from Vision Group were among the many mourners who attended the final send-off ceremony.