Makerere, journalism fraternity pay tribute to Dr Brian Semujju

Uganda’s broader academic fraternity and Makerere University have paid heartfelt tribute to the late Dr Brian Semujju, a prolific scholar and fast-rising academic in journalism and communication studies.

A requiem service was held on Tuesday at St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, where colleagues, students, and friends gathered to honour Ssemujju’s life and legacy. Prof James Kiwanuka, dean of journalism at Uganda Christian University (UCU), who first met Dr. Semujju in 2016, described him as an exceptional scholar whose contribution to the field was already remarkable.

“He was a brilliant scholar, and he was on a trajectory to become one of the best in the journalism fraternity,” Kiwanuka said.

Prof Monica Chibita, also from UCU and a former lecturer at Makerere, recalled meeting Semujju in 2007 when he was pursuing his Master’s degree.

“He was an unusual student; you needed to understand him in his way,” she said. “He completed his PhD book at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in just one and a half years, but the university had to slow him down because it was impossible to officially complete the PhD in less than two years.”

Prolific academic career

Prof Gorretti Nassanga, from Makerere’s department of journalism, highlighted Semujju’s impressive academic output, noting that he authored 22 peer-reviewed journal articles, 17 of which focused on journalism.

“He loved music. His students are in shock, and the staff too,” she said. “He leaves a legacy of academic excellence, and we must all work to keep his legacy alive. Farewell, Brian. We will miss you.”

Semujju’s research spanned climate communication, gender, media, and journalism. He also developed a communication theory, Small Systems Dependency Theory (SSDT), centered on the role of Community Audio Towers (CATs) in local information dissemination.

His work has been cited at least 120 times by scholars locally, regionally, and internationally, cementing his status as an influential voice in the academic community.

A life cut short

Semujju died just two months shy of his 45th birthday, leaving behind his wife, Peace and daughter, Venus. He will be laid to rest on Wednesday in Mityana district.

Mourners were further saddened to learn that his family is currently facing multiple health challenges – his sister is bedridden in the UK with cancer, his elder brother is confined to a wheelchair after a stroke, and another sibling is battling a serious non-communicable illness.

Prof Robert Kakuru, chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), expressed gratitude to the university for settling Semujju’s high medical bills, urging colleagues to join MUASA for mutual support.

“It’s God’s will. No words can comfort you. As an academic fraternity, we’ve lost a man who has done much. As MUASA, we thank the University for taking care of Brian. The bill was too high, but the university stepped in. We don’t take this for granted,” Kakuru said.