Julius Kitone Buried Amid Calls for Safer Roads After Fatal Rakai Crash

Family, journalists and leaders gathered in Kiteredde Village, Rakai District, to bury 35-year-old Next Media reporter Julius Kitone, killed in a Friday road crash.

Grief and heartfelt tributes converged on Monday in Kiteredde Village, Magabi Parish, Ntantamuki Town Council, Rakai District, as family, friends, colleagues and community leaders laid to rest 35-year-old Next Media journalist Julius Kitone.

Kitone, who perished in a tragic head-on collision on February 13 along with seven others, was remembered as a disciplined, humble and deeply passionate professional whose untimely death has left a void in Uganda’s media landscape.

The burial ceremony opened with a solemn requiem Mass presided over by Fr Steven Kijambu of Kiziba Parish. In his homily, the priest described Kitone as a young man whose life and work left an indelible mark, urging those present to emulate his values of integrity, service and moral courage.

The Late Julius Kitone

Representing Next Media, News Editor Ismael Ssembatya delivered a moving eulogy, praising Kitone’s creativity, unwavering work ethic and genuine commitment to journalistic excellence. “Julius was always eager to learn, innovate and grow,” Ssembatya said. “His colleagues will carry forward the passion and discipline he exemplified.”

Fellow journalists present used the occasion to condemn reckless driving on Ugandan roads. They described Kitone’s death—caused by an alleged dangerous overtaking maneuver by the commuter taxi driver—as a stark reminder of the preventable dangers motorists face daily, and renewed calls on government agencies to enforce stricter traffic regulations and improve road safety measures.

Photos fromw the burial of Julius Kitone below, sourced from Next Media;

Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala, who once worked alongside Kitone, remembered him as reliable, respectful and dedicated. “He treated everyone with dignity and was fully committed to his craft,” she said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire also paid tribute, commending Kitone’s professionalism and cooperative spirit during assignments that involved security agencies. He reiterated the need for motorists to drive responsibly and appealed for an end to the theft and vandalism of road signs, which further endangers lives.

Family members spoke of Kitone as the family’s pillar of strength—obedient, supportive and proud of his roots in Ntantamuki. Siblings thanked Next Media for nurturing his talent and providing him a platform to serve the nation through journalism.

Born in 1991, Julius Kitone leaves behind young children and a legacy of integrity, humility and service that will continue to inspire those who knew him.

As the sun set over Kiteredde Village around 4 p.m., mourners watched in silence as Kitone was finally laid to rest, closing a chapter on a life defined by quiet dedication and ended too soon by a preventable tragedy on Uganda’s roads.