Kampala,Uganda- The media fraternity in Uganda is mourning the untimely death of Julius Kitone, a journalist with Next Media, who perished in a fatal road accident on Friday evening.
Kitone, 35, died alongside seven others in a tragic crash along the Masaka–Mbarara highway. According to Police, the victims were travelling in a white Toyota Hiace that was overtaking when it collided head-on with a Mercedes-Benz trailer coming from the Mbarara side.
The devastating news sent shockwaves across the journalism community, with colleagues and leaders describing Kitone as a dedicated, humble, and enterprising professional.
In a condolence message shared on his X platform, Kin Kariisa, Managing Director of Next Media, expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“It is very sad losing Julius Kitone, who died in a car accident. Julius joined us in 2020 and was a transformer who showed up with quiet excellence,” Kariisa wrote. He added that he had last spoken to Kitone just a week ago and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) also paid tribute, describing the late journalist as calm, hardworking, and impactful.
“Media fraternity struck again: We have received the news concerning the sudden death of one of our own, Julius Kitone, journalist with NBS TV, whose life has perished in a road accident from Mbarara,” part of the UJA statement read.
The umbrella body noted that Kitone’s contribution to Uganda’s media industry was remarkable and indelible, adding that his death is a great loss to the fraternity and the country at large.
Julius Kitone will be remembered not only for his professionalism and quiet excellence but also as a devoted family man whose life was cut short at the prime age of 35.
