Mbarara media fraternity mourns journalist Clare Chopper

MBARARA - The media fraternity in Mbarara city and across the country is mourning the sudden passing of Clare Ekiyasimire Chopper, a prominent journalist and political figure in western Uganda.

Chopper, 52, died on Sunday, June 29, reportedly due to blood pressure-related complications as she was being rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

Her brother, also fellow journalist, Perez Rumanzi, said the family was informed by her husband, Patrick Kabagambe aka Master Teacher of Radio West, that she suffered a hypertensive attack at their home.

She was initially taken to Divine Mercy Hospital in Rwebikoona, Mbarara city, where she received emergency care.

When the medication failed to stabilise her, she was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“She has been managing mild hypertension and would usually receive treatment, but this time she could not make it,” Rumanzi told New Vision.

At the time of her passing, Chopper was the station manager at Greater Afrikan Radio, located on Booma Hill in Mbarara city. She is survived by her husband Kabagambe and three sons.

Chopper began her broadcasting career in 1999 as one of the pioneers of Radio West.

She was also the first station manager of Vision Group’s TV West, serving until 2013 before moving on to Endigyito Radio, where she worked for three years. She later joined Greater Afrikan Radio, where she served as station manager until her death.

A trained secondary school teacher, Chopper contested in the 2020 NRM primaries for Mbarara City Woman MP but lost.

She had announced her intention to run again in the 2026 general elections as an independent candidate.

Dickson Nandinda Baryahabwe, station manager of Radio West and one of her mentees, described her as a “social, selfless and dedicated media personality who always demanded well-researched content delivered on time.”

Chopper was born to Henry Rumanzi Kahigi and Annah Rumanzi Mweteise Bateyo of Kashararazi village, Kashayo parish in Bungangari sub-county, Rukungiri district.

She attended Rwanyanja Primary School, Kinyasano Girls’ High School, and Bishop Comboni College Kambuga for her A-levels. She later earned a Diploma in Secondary Education from National Teachers’ College Kakoba and was a graduate of Uganda Management Institute.

She previously taught at Nyamitanga Secondary School and later offered part-time teaching at Ngabo Academy in Mbarara, even while actively working in media.

By press time, burial arrangements had not yet been announced.