Renowned New Vision journalist dies
Feb 09, 2009
MAKERERE University lecturer and renowned journalist Dennis Ocwich has died in South Africa. His uncle, Goodman Okonye, a lecturer at the university, said the hospital where Ocwich, 35, died had not yet provided details on the cause of the death.
By Anne Mugisa
MAKERERE University lecturer and renowned journalist Dennis Ocwich has died in South Africa. His uncle, Goodman Okonye, a lecturer at the university, said the hospital where Ocwich, 35, died had not yet provided details on the cause of the death.
Ocwich was in South Africa pursuing a PhD in journalism at Rhodes University on a scholarship.
His lecturer, only identified as Prof. Staude, communicated to his uncle over phone and e-mail that Ocwich had complained last week that he was not feeling well.
“I took him to the Rhodes Sanatorium and when I saw him the next day, he said he was feeling better,†said Staude in his communication to Okonye.
According to Staude, however, on February 5, Ocwich booked himself into Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown.
“The sister at the hospital phoned me early this morning to inform me that he passed away yesterday (Sunday),†Staude said in the email to Okonye.
Ocwich worked as a staff writer with The New Vision before he went to Sweden for a Master’s degree in Global Journalism.
On his return, he joined Makerere University as part-time lecturer in the department of mass communication.
He, however continued contributing to The New Vision. His last article run on January 20.
Okonye, who had looked after Ocwich from high school, described him as a very humble and intelligent young man. He said burial arrangements were being made.
MAKERERE University lecturer and renowned journalist Dennis Ocwich has died in South Africa. His uncle, Goodman Okonye, a lecturer at the university, said the hospital where Ocwich, 35, died had not yet provided details on the cause of the death.
Ocwich was in South Africa pursuing a PhD in journalism at Rhodes University on a scholarship.
His lecturer, only identified as Prof. Staude, communicated to his uncle over phone and e-mail that Ocwich had complained last week that he was not feeling well.
“I took him to the Rhodes Sanatorium and when I saw him the next day, he said he was feeling better,†said Staude in his communication to Okonye.
According to Staude, however, on February 5, Ocwich booked himself into Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown.
“The sister at the hospital phoned me early this morning to inform me that he passed away yesterday (Sunday),†Staude said in the email to Okonye.
Ocwich worked as a staff writer with The New Vision before he went to Sweden for a Master’s degree in Global Journalism.
On his return, he joined Makerere University as part-time lecturer in the department of mass communication.
He, however continued contributing to The New Vision. His last article run on January 20.
Okonye, who had looked after Ocwich from high school, described him as a very humble and intelligent young man. He said burial arrangements were being made.