Tribute to fallen colleagues

Kenneth Matovu, Leo Kabunga, Simon Ekarot and Francis Batte Jr died in a road accident on Tuesday. We have been overwhelmed by the number of verbal and written messages of condolences, and they continue to pour in. In a continued tribute to our fallen sports writers, we produce this list, not in any particular order. Please accept our apologies if yours has been missed. KENNETH MATOVU: Sub-editor and columinist, New Vision, *Office of the President of Uganda *Okello Oryem (minister of state for sports) *National Road Safety Council *Dr. Ian Clark *Kololo Secondary School *Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) *Anthony Ndetto (Nairobi) *Nile Breweries Limited *Matthias Mulumba (Oslo, Norway) *Opiyo Oloya (Toronto, Canada) *Nicholas Musonye (CECAFA) *East and Southern Africa Media Institute (EAMI) *Nigerian High Commission *William Tayeebwa (Oslo,Norway) *Hellen Mukiibi (Cape Town) *Robert Walakira (London Cranes Football Club in the UK) *George William Lugalambi (Pennsylvania,US) *Uganda Management Institute *MCL McCann Uganda *Wilson Tumwine *Embassy of Iran in Kampala *Uganda Peoples Congress *Democratic Party *Uganda Media Union *United Arab FC *Aggrey Bigala (US) *Eugene Ssepuya (US) *James Ssemambo (US) *Alan Kakooza, (US) *Andrew Jjombwe (US) *Wilbur Wilber Musika (US) *Arthur Byansiima(US) *Jamil Kayondo (US) *Haruna Mawanda *Olive Lumonya *David Nsiyona *Peter Mwesige (US) *Geoffrey Kulubya (Cardiff, UK) *International Association of Sports Press (AIPS) *Andrew Byekwaso *Carol Azungi (Oslo, Norway) *Captain Edward Babu, Minister of State for Works, Housing and communication *Kevin and Sue O’Connor *Uganda Journalists Association *Uganda Cricket Association *Joseph Masembe (France) *Ezra Wabudi *National Council of Sports *Ofwono Opondo *Uganda Breweries Limited *Margaret Zziwa *Movement Secretariat *Fred Masadde Kabuye *David Bitalo *Grace Isharaza *Drake Nsubuga *Sam Nsubuga *St. Francis Marrieds *City Tyres *Okello Jabweli (Canada) *Akwe Amosu (London, UK) *Godfrey Byaruhanga (London) *Frank Mubiru (London) *Emma Olaunah *Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) *Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) *Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium *Uganda Weightlifting Association *Straight TALK *Michael Okiror *Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in Uganda (FMU) *Motorsport Fraternity *City Council of Kampala (KCC) *Uganda Football Coaches Association *Bugolobi News Vendors *Vision Freelancers Association Basoga Nsadu (Minister of State for information) *Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) *Moses Owor, the Tieng Adhola *Sports Club Villa *Centre Point Ltd. *East Africa Media Institute (EAMI) *UMWA *Uganda Rowing Federation *Uganda Canoeing-Kayak Federation *Ruhindi and company advocates *Express Sports Club *Monica Chibita (MUK) *Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) *FHRI *Onyango Kakoba *Uganda Aids Commission *Buganda Minitry of Education and Sports *National Institute of Journalists Union (NIJU) *The Monitor *Simon Peter Nsubuga *Police Canteen *Uganda Footballers Association *Uganda Ladies Golf Union *Standard Chartered Bank *Uganda Society for Disabled Children *Kazinga Channel *Paul Busharizi *Automobile Association of Uganda (AAU) *Shangzhi Wang, (Xinhua) *British High Commission *All Saints Church *Our Lady of Africa, Mbuya *Namirembe Diocese *Naomi Mirembe *MTN-Uganda *Shell Uganda *TV Africa *Uganda Televison *Ssegwanga Musisi *Billie O’Kadameri (Paris, France) *Daisy Asiimwe (London, UK) *Kevin Aliro (Glasgow, Scotland) *Jimmy Kiberu (Nairobi) *Frederick Wamala (London, UK) *Nicholas Musonye (Nairobi) *WBS television *Consul General of Republic in Djibouti *Uganda Mountain Bike Association *Jim Mugunga (London, UK) *AIG Uganda *A. M. Kirunda-Kivejinja, Movement Secretariat *Embassy of the United States of America *Phillip Besimiire *Radio One FM *David Kigonya (London, UK) *Susan Mutuwa *Justin Juuko *Bishop Balagadde Sekkade (Namirembe Diocese) *Kenneth’s friends..... (Damalie Nakalema, Joseph Kabuleta, Stephen Magero, Dan Kalumba, Micheal Kyeyune, Kaliisa Katongole, Patrick Mugambwa, Ronnie Kafeero, Paul Lule, Fred Kavulu, John Busingye, Matron Kigonya and the rest) ends Sport-on co-host on WBS. Age: 25 years. SIMON PETER EKAROT: Reporter at New Vision, Correspondent of African Soccer Magazine. Aged:29 years. I am extremely saddened by the untimely death of Kenneth, Simon, Leo and Francis on Tuesday. These were talented young men cut down in the morning of their vibrant careers as writers. What’s even more upsetting is that their deaths, like many deaths on Uganda roads, merely added to the growing statistics of road fatalities. Surely, as we mourn these young men and express sorrows to their bereaved families, we must begin to express our serious concerns about our roads. We must begin to question why there are no visible road signs to warn drivers not overtake at dangerous spots. Here in Canada, the roads are marked in two solid yellow lines to warn drivers not to even attempt overtaking because visibility is reduced. Moreover, all cars are equipped with day light running lights (DRL), normally associated with presidential motorcades in Uganda, to allow drivers see on-coming vehicles during daylight. The majority of road accidents happen during the day. Finally, authorities need to truly educate the public on safe driving. As a nation, we can’t afford to lose our young people due to preventable road deaths. As individuals, we have a responsibility to ensure that we observe road etiquette to maximise the safety of al road users. My sympathies and condolences go to the families of the four young men and to members of New Vision and Uganda press who have lost their friends and dear colleagues. Opiyo Oloya Toronto, Canada LEO KABUNGA: Long serving reporter at New Vision. Age 48 years. Ends