In Sunday Vision: Legendary Birango reader Ssalong John shares how he secured his future

In a unique dramatic, flawless and fast voice, he would introduce the death announcements.

You did not have to see his face to know that it was Ssalongo John Ssekandi, a former veteran Bilango (death announcements) anchor of Radio Uganda and CBS.

The way he articulated his words was a signature tune enough for anybody who had heard him, to identify him.

Ssalongo John did not specialise in music or present a breakfast show. He, instead cut a rather gloomy niche for himself: he specialised in death announcements.

He had three slots on radio — early morning, lunchtime and evening; reading death announcements.
For most people in their mid to late 60s, Ssalongo was the only death announcement anchor they knew for the better part of their life.

If you thought, he had died, you are dead wrong; the 84-year-old still looks strong and happy. We visited him at his home in Mukono where he shared with us the secret to his comfortable life.

Find details of this discussion in our Secure Future pullout only in your copy of Sunday Vision this weekend.