Background and early life
He was born on 30th June,1964 and was the ninth born in the family to parents, Yowana Mirundi and Molly Namatovu. He grew up in Matale-Kalagala now called Kyotera District but was later brought to Kampala for better education by his older brother, John Ssali. He also used to sell newspapers as a young school boy.
Family
He had many children and wives though he never let the media drug them publicly.
Tamale Mirundi Junior.
One of Mirundi’s sons is Tamale Mirundi Junior who has attracted quite a lot of public attention as he got banished from the clan just a month after his father’s death because of continuously criticising the Buganda Kingdom. He is also seen on his Tiktok page acting out as a comedian which the public wouldn’t expect to see from such a legend’s child especially given that they share the same names. However, Junior has also proved to be alike with his late father as he seems to be motormouthed too and speaks out freely about anything without any fear.
Tamale’s Career
He was a journalist and then went on to serve as President Yoweri Museveni’s press secretary for approximately 13 years before leaving the role in 2015 and continuing as a political commentator.
Entry into media.
As a young boy, he used to sell newspapers which contributed to his growing passion in journalism. He started by contributing stories to Munno, a newspaper associated with the Catholic Church. As a journalist, he used to ask difficult questions to political figures which got him fans and criticism both at the same time. He was a leader in the Uganda Journalists Association. He also worked on publications namely The Voice and Lipoota but these struggled with financial constraints.
Moving to the State House.
He joined the presidential communications team under President Museveni where he served as the President’s Press Secretary where he explained and defended the president’s positions to the public.
Dismissal from the State house
In 2015, he was removed from his position as the Presidential press secretary and then served as presidential advisor on media matters. He continued to appear on television and radio especially when his comments attracted audiences interested in political affairs.
Books by Tamale Mirundi
Tamale authored a number of publications of books analyzing Ugandan politics, power dynamics and history, including titles such as Bafunda ne Serwajjokwota (2005), Who keeps Museveni in power? (2006), Killing a medical doctor to save a cobbler (2011), Baganda politicians (2012), The invisible hand (2012), Politics of a Trojan horse (2017), Oil curse (2018), The Power of Uganda Mafias (2018), Nantaba, the iron lady (2019), COVID-19 mafias (2020), Scientific elections (2021), The rise and making Kyagulanyi (2021), Ebyafaayo bya Buganda okuva mu 1894-1966, and The history of media in Uganda.
Famous and notable quotes by Mirundi
Just like the late Mirundi published books, he also used and came up with quotes some of which were directed to politics and strategy, colorful metaphors and observations, critics and enemies and some were controversial. These included; Fighting the opposition is like fighting a war with a toothpick, They should lie low like an envelope, Ugandan politics is like a football match played in a slippery field; if you are not careful, you will slip and break your legs, You must be like a chameleon, adapting to your environment to survive political turbulence, You can’t say a man who has been hungry the entire day is the one who spoilt the toilet paper, When a boat accident happens and you see a crocodile rushing to the scene, don’t think it is coming to save lives, You can’t say the bishop asked all virgin girls to show up and a Nnalongo (mother of twins) shows up, If God gives a girl beauty without brains, it’s the private part that suffers.
Cause and date of death
Mirundi died at Kisubi hospital on 13th August,2024 at the age of 60 following certain health complications including pulmonary edema (fluid /blood accumulation in the lungs). He was buried at his ancestral home in Kalagala, Kyotera District on 18th August.
