By Alex Balimwikungu
Tributes continue to flow in following news of the sudden death of veteran disc jockey, Alex Ndawula who died at Nsambya hospital aged 59.
No cause of death has been confirmed by the hospital at this time, but according to online reports, Alex Ndawula, who had been in and out of hospital over the past two years, collapsed at his apartment and was rushed to hospital by a close friend.
Ndawula, one of the pioneer presenters of FM radio in Uganda in the early 90’s was remembered for his highly charged Dance Force show on Capital FM that aired Saturday Nights, well into the next day.
Ugandans, both old and young, politicians, musicians and radio presenters have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the man who graced the airwaves for over 20 years and changed the face of radio in Uganda.
Veteran journalist, Onyango Obbo has described Ndawula as an original rulebook breaker and norm defier and in the process changed radio in Uganda.
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, eulogized Alex Ndawula as a “true king” of radio in Uganda.
“Thank you for the memories, Alex Ndawula, the true king of radio. My sympathies go to your family, the media fraternity, and all those you touched through your golden voice. May your soul find eternal rest,” Among, said.
According to Tayebwa, the dance force show that Ndawula used to present during his past days on radio left a mark in his heart during his youthful days and evokes great memories.
“Thank you for the good times, DJ Alex. I remember those days I used to almost sleep in our banana plantation every Saturday night because it was the only spot where I could get Capital Fm (signal) to listen to Dance Force in Bitereko. You brought Kampala close to us. Rest in peace legend,” Tayebwa said.
Ndawula was born in the United States in New York City in 1963 but after the death of his father, he relocated to Uganda. Funeral arrangements are underway.
