Tamale Mirundi was my stress reliever — Nakyobe

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KYOTERA - The head of public service and secretary to the cabinet, Lucy Nakyobe, has disclosed that the former long-time serving presidential press secretary, Joseph Tamale Mirundi, was her stress reliever.

She said this during Mirundi’s burial ceremony in Kaliisizo, Kyotera district, on Sunday, August 18.

Nakyobe, who also worked with Mirundi when she was still the State House Comptroller, told mourners that because the deceased was a motormouth, some people hated him, but he made more friends.

“He used to speak a lot. For that reason some people hated Tamale Mirundi, but he gained more friends. I have been his follower because he was a stress reliever,” she said.

She also noted that Mirundi, who was also a socio-political commentator on radio and TV, was good at apologising when he was in the wrong.

“We shall truly miss him. He worked as a presidential press secretary at a time when we [in the government] had a tough opposition, but he would do his job well and that is why he has been famous,” Nakyobe said.

Mirundi was the former presidential advisor on media and the spokesperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda for Buganda sub-region at the time of his death on August 13, 2024, aged 60.

He died of lung-related complications after a long illness at Kisubi Hospital on Entebbe Road.

At the burial, President Yoweri Museveni was represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo, who read his written message.

Analysts told New Vision that despite the polarising nature of his commentary, Mirundi’s influence on Ugandan politics and media cannot be understated.

He was a jack-of-all-trades and an intricate figure in Ugandan society.

His style, which was characterised by a mix of local proverbs, street slang, and political jargon, resonated with many Ugandans, particularly those who felt disconnected from the often-aloof political class.