Unknown unto us the waves of death hung over our human bodies, 24/7. Last afternoon, 1st October 2025, it struck Daniels Tatya Nabongo, barely a whisker into making half a century on planet earth. Our first meeting was in the corridors of the National Theatre, where he was stringing with the Sunrise newspaper, whilst I , a regular at the auditorium and the Musicians Club 89 bar sections.
Just another Journo, I thought. In between hoops into the media industry, I bumped into him with Kodili aka Gazaa Gazaman at the Red pepper briefly and regularly at bars in Kireka. In, or about Febuary 2013 , a colleague that I had prior worked with at the Red pepper, Stanley Ndawula aka Ndugu, had had an idea of starting an online newspaper.
On the day, he called at the time I had just parted ways with Chimp Reports. Hence, there was no way of refusing to meet him at the Golf Course Hotel for what I thought was just a drink. Anyone that knew Stanley then, we enjoyed froth, aka the bitter, and was sure of getting drunk as well as ‘facilitation’.
Unlike our other meetings, he didn’t beckon me to the sitting bar area but the verandah loungue and in a few minutes, we were joined by Dalton Kaweesa. This was not a drink-up meeting of sorts. It was a project plot on how we started the investigator online newspaper. Days later, I was at Rajja Chambers along Parliamentary Avenue at his money lending company called G.I.A where, we set base to start the www.theinvestigatornews.com website.
With the G.I.A staff like Perry, Grace, and yes ‘Hajatti’ Zainab, the two of us sat and penned stories like manna on day one. Dalton, still missing in action, we soldiered on, in between movements to Cafe Papa for him whilst I went to enjoy a drink at Mateos with the boys .
A few weeks later, the investigator had caused a media storm, people like Joel Isabirye and Simon Kasiyate and Timothy Karyegira started passing by. True to Stanley style, he was always willing to ‘show around and off’ how things worked. It is at this time that bwana Steven Kasozi Muwambi, walked in with a lanky fellow with whom, I had prior shared a drink too many times at Kireka’s Ada Pub, Victoria or Pride in Bweyogerere.
Instantly, the duo joined our team and so did Arthur Kintu from Newvision along side Almedah Karemani, and Fred Daka Kamwada Kamwada. Stanley later incorporated his home squad of Farid Jemba, RobertNdawula, and Geoffrey in IT department, and oh yes, Drucillar Arinanye aka Dru.
The investigator was now almost fully established, crime – investigations with Stanley, Entertainment belonged to yours truly Jako, Court dedicated to Steven Kasozi Muwambi, Politics to Kamwada, while Daniels Tatya, specialized in sports and Frank Mugisha in sports.
Boy, the Investigator rocked until Stanley begun his riff taffy stuff with money bags Sudhir Reperaria, his now estranged buddy. With our cultural roots embedded and entwined, Tatya found a ‘drink’ comrade in me and ho, we drunk. What shocked many inspite of our imbibing was the teams unmatched work ethic and breaking news superiority.
As Stanley launched another warfare with Gen. Edward Kale Kayihura, and the Kampala CDB becoming risky, we shifted from Rajja Chambers to the Village Mall , in Kyanja. Along the way, many of our colleagues left as Tatya and I soldiered on with Stanley. Tatya, even got a place of abode adjacent the village courtesy of Stanley.
As things got better, they returned briefly so did our route opener, Uncle Sekamate.
Things got tough as Stanley opted to venture into a bar-restaurant business with some fellow on Bukoto Street. His penchant for news was wanning, he and a one Kabanda, always moved together, to a ‘same dots’ joint with a Franchesca, as Tatya and I pondered our next move at the office.
Later, we all chose to part ways for the good of our financial wellness. About a year later, duty called after Stanley social media pages and mine had been hacked, allegedly by the ‘tycoon’. A.quick meeting was arranged between us and later joined by Muwambi and Ivan Kayuki, aka George, for us to revamp the investigator news.
Indeed, it was for a couple of weeks until I asked Stanley for premission to seek out the services of Tatya. Gwe, those days Stanley wouldn’t do anything without consulting me or later his best man, Friday Kagoro.Finding Tatya was quite easy but he at the time, had been bitten by the bitter while I had quit drinking anything alcoholic till today.
His work ethic was in tandem, but a bit slower, however, the Investigator was back at Yaya Lounge. His love for Arsenal was phenomenon and braggy. Later on, under the auspices of Anderson Luzze, the investigator youtube channel idea was birthed. Tactfully, I stayed out the first shooting sessions that were done by Stanley and Tatya, but subsequently later, I took over the mantle.
During that period, with financial demands piling up and our boss more interested in the eatery and bar business, I calmly walked out. Tatya, then took over the mantle both at the website and the channel. We certainly had no issues between us until we chose to part professional ways over our personal interests.
When he was involved in that boda-car accident, I set aside our differences and went to Gwatiro hospital, only to be told that he had been transferred. Recently, he surprised me by requesting me to talk to Dean Saava Lubowa over the Kibalama issue that he wasn’t part of the panel and indeed he wasn’t.
In my true style, I boldly told him that I had no business in being dragged into that issue and that if Dean had called, then they should conclude their business. On the night of 30th September 2025, while in the Kulambiro road vicinity at about 10pm, I was informed that Tatya had been admitted to Mulago hospital.
Before shooting today’s TV 10 show during the dry run, I brought Dean to speed about this development.Hours later, after the show, boom… boom… I picked up a call from an insider at Yaya. Daniels Nabongo Tatya, had passed on. Such a cruel sad ending of a man who had finally branched into family life. Sail well Ndugu.
Author Profile
- Mr. Jacko David Waluluka is another unique entertainment and general investigative news writer, a field he has diligently covered for over fifteen years. He’s also the Chief Administrator at The Investigator. He can easily be reached via [email protected]
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Sleep well Tatya.
Yayans will miss your kind and humble gestures.
It is with deep sorrow that I join my brothers Stanley, Jako, Kamwada, and Muwambi in mourning the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Daniels Nabongo Tatya.
At The Investigator, our paths intertwined in ways that created not just news, but memories. As I captured moments behind the lens and refined them through photo editing, Tatya gave them life with his captivating stories. Together, we crafted narratives that informed, inspired, and often shook the public space. His words and my images often spoke in harmony—his pen as powerful as my camera’s focus.
Beyond the newsroom, Tatya was more than just a colleague. He was a friend, a companion in laughter, a passionate sportsman at heart, and a man whose dedication to both work and friendship was unwavering. His work ethic, his humor, and his love for Arsenal were part of the color he added to our shared journey.
Though life’s paths led us into different directions professionally, our friendship never faded. That was the true Tatya—bigger than differences, grounded in brotherhood, and always willing to rise above the small things for the sake of the bond we shared.
His sudden departure is a cruel reminder of life’s fragility, but his legacy remains—of stories well told, of friendships well kept, and of a man who lived fully and loved deeply.
To his family, I extend my heartfelt condolences. May you find strength in the knowledge that Tatya’s name, work, and spirit will forever remain part of the Investigator’s history, and in the hearts of those of us who knew him closely.
Rest in eternal peace, Daniels Nabongo Tatya. Sail well, ndugu.
— Arthur Kintu
I can believe that my brother Tatya is no more.I can’t forget when he introduced me to the investigator online those days .I first met Tatya in 2011 at Garuga motocross champion ship when he genuinely welcomed me.