Another veteran journalist dies in a period of seven days

Death has again robbed the media fraternity of another veteran Ugandan journalist. James Henry Okanya was among the 30 passengers who died in a fatal road accident when two buses Bakulu Bus and Baby Coach crashed head on collision in Southern Sudan, a few kilometers from Nimule Uganda - Sudan border.

James Okanya, during his active time worked at the government owned The Uganda Argus (Idi Amin regime) in late 1970s and the Uganda Times (Apollo Milton Obote II) from 1980 – 85, was an investigative journalist. He again teamed up with fellow journalists when the paper was changed from Uganda Times to the New Vision. He briefly worked for the paper in the early days of National Resistance Movement (NRM) 1987 before leaving for leaving for active politics.

The death of James Okanya brings the number of veteran journalists who have passed on in a period of seven days to two after another veteran journalist David Musoke who died and was laid to rest in Matale, Lugazi June 11, 2011.

James's contribution towards the journalism profession in Uganda will always shine and never forgotten since two of his children Adante Okanya trained and active in the profession (New Vision) and a daughter at campus doing Mass-Comm.

James Okanya's body was laid to rest on Monday the 20th June 2011, at Kabwangasi in Palisa district.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.