The cremation of Dr. Shaka Ssali, the esteemed former host of Voice of America’s flagship program Straight Talk Africa, is currently underway following his passing in March 2025.
Born in Kabale, Uganda, Dr. Ssali went into exile after the rise of Idi Amin in 1971. He later moved to the United States, where he earned a PhD in cross-cultural communication. In 1986, he joined the Voice of America, where he would go on to leave an indelible mark on African journalism.
For more than two decades, Dr. Ssali hosted Straight Talk Africa, a program that became a vital platform for dialogue on democracy, governance, and development across the continent. His work earned him numerous accolades, including a recent Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to African media. Dr. Ssali passed away on March 26, 2025.
According to the official burial program, a public viewing and cremation ceremony is being held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, located at 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22315.
The Daily Star has learned that Dr. Ssali had personally chosen cremation over repatriation of his remains. Half of his ashes will be scattered in the Potomac river and the remainder taken to his ancestral home of Igabiro, Kabale other parts of Africa—regions he cherished and passionately advocated for in his lifelong pursuit of democracy, peace, and prosperity.
