A Brother Gone Too Soon: Farewell to Joe Nam

It breaks my heart to write these words. I just learned that my dear friend Joe Nam, a former journalist with New Vision, was shot dead by masked men outside Kampala.

The pain hit me like a wave I still can’t shake.

I keep opening my phone and staring at the messages I sent him last year. I was so excited, asking when I could finally get my hands on his new book The Day Museveni Goes. We had promised each other we would swap copies my novel The Missing Corpse for his and write honest reviews for one another. Those chats still feel so alive, so full of plans.

I also remember the days when Joe and another new vision friend visited me in Dubai. We hung out for hours, talking like old friends who had never been apart. He kept urging me to write more Ugandan stories for New Vision. I can still hear his voice, warm and serious, telling me, “Yasin, never forget to be a Ugandan. Always tell the Ugandan stories everywhere.” Those words stayed with me. They still do.

You left too soon, my friend. Way too soon. I never got to hold your book in my hands, and you never got to read the novel I wanted to place in yours. The thought of that unfinished exchange brings tears to my eyes even now.

But I promise you this: I will still get your book. I will read every page and keep that promise we made.

Until we meet again, rest well, Joe. Rest well, my brother. Your stories, your laughter, and your advice will live on in me.

— Yasin Kakande  

Author of The Missing Corpse