Tributes pour in after veteran journalist Onapito death

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Tributes are pouring in after the death of veteran journalist and former Amuria County MP Onapito Ekomoloit on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Onapito, who was the board chairperson of Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) at the time of his death, which occurred at the Kampala Hospital, is also a former Presidential Press Secretary (PPS).

Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among took to X, formerly Twitter, and said she was deeply saddened by Onapito’s death, whom she described as a brother.

“He was a journalist of excellence, a former Press Secretary to the President, and a former MP. His honest and humble contributions to our country speak for themselves. My heartfelt sympathies go out to His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, his family, friends, the press fraternity, the Nile Breweries family, and the Teso community. May his soul rest in peace,” she prayed.

Margaret Muhanga, the state minister for health in charge of Primary Health Care and Fort Portal North Division MP, said death has robbed them of a great friend, a fine intellectual, and a meek and calm gentleman.

“My sympathy to the family, His Excellency President Museveni and the journalism fraternity,” she posted on X.

The director of information and publicity at the National Resistance Movement secretariat and former MP, Emmanuel Dombo, said the deceased was the minister of Information during his guild government time at Makerere University in 1991/92.

“I later served with him in the Parliament of Uganda. Condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace,” he prayed.

Vision Group Chief Executive Officer and former PPS Don Wanyama also took to X and said Onapito was a good man.

“Deeply knowledgeable, respectful and humble. It was always a learning experience the couple of times our paths crossed. We mourn with his family, the people of Teso and the media fraternity. May his ancestors receive him with favour,” he posted.

Faruk Kirunda, the deputy PPS said it was too bad to lose his comrade Onapito, who is another former PPS to die after Tamale Mirundi last month.

“Teso and Uganda have been deprived of an illustrious son and professional who had great ideas that he delivered effortlessly and respectfully. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he wrote on his X handle.

The director of communication and public affairs at Parliament, Chris Obore, said Onapita was an icon. He also said he was a gentleman, humble, traditionally grounded and intellectually exposed.

“Teso did not deserve to lose you. It sucks and hurts. Onapito Ekomoloit!” he wrote on his X handle.

Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda said Onapito was his lecturer at Makerere University, editor at The Monitor, friend and fellow panellist on KFM’s Hot Seat.

“A brilliant intellectual with a realistic approach to politics, he inspired us all with his wit. May his soul RIP [rest in peace],” he also wrote on X. 

Vision Group deputy editor-in-chief Felix Osike described Onapito’s death as terrible news. “He was steadfast in his views, incredibly honest and a great mentor to many. We shall greatly miss him,” he said.