Journalist Casts Doubt on Ivan Ssemwanga’s Death, Reviving Mysteries of the Rich Gang ‘President’
KAMPALA, UGANDA – The decade-old mystery surrounding the death of Ugandan socialite and businessman Ivan Ssemwanga has been thrust back into the spotlight. New claims by a prominent Ugandan journalist have reignited public speculation that Ssemwanga’s highly publicized 2017 death may not have been what it seemed.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala expressed profound doubt regarding the circumstances of Ssemwanga’s demise, questioning the lack of transparency surrounding his medical records.
“I doubt whether Ssemwanga died. Nobody saw his autopsy report. Not even Uganda’s High Commission in South Africa. I look forward to details,” Njala wrote.
Njala further escalated the conspiracy by claiming he personally investigated the matter. “This is one of the mysterious deaths to date. I was curious about the circumstances surrounding his death. When I called Steve Biko hospital, they confirmed that there was never any patient called Ssemwanga admitted to their hospital. Not even by the other names as claimed.”
These allegations directly challenge the official narrative of Ssemwanga’s final days. According to reports, Ssemwanga—affectionately known as the “president” of Uganda’s Rich Gang—suffered a severe stroke in Pretoria, South Africa. He was admitted to Steve Biko Hospital, where he remained in a coma for 11 to 12 days as doctors treated him for a brain hemorrhage associated with high blood pressure. He was pronounced dead on May 25, 2017, at the age of 39.
His former partner, socialite Zari Hassan, who reportedly remained by his side during his hospitalization, announced his death on social media, referring to him as “Ivan the Great.” She later publicly dismissed rumors that he had been poisoned.
Adding to the enduring enigma, it was reported that Ssemwanga’s body was repatriated to Uganda on May 28, 2017, under a different name on the travel documents.
A Farewell of Unmatched Extravagance
While the exact details of his death remain contested by some, the spectacle of his burial remains one of the most talked-about episodes in Uganda’s celebrity culture.
Following a vigil in Muyenga and prayers at Namirembe Cathedral, Ssemwanga’s body was taken to his ancestral home in Nakaliro, Kayunga District. His final journey attracted massive crowds and a convoy of vehicles, reflecting the public fascination that had followed him throughout his life.
However, it was the burial itself that cemented his place in folklore. As highlighted in a post by Muhamadi Matovu, a final display of extravagance saw bundles of cash, champagne, wine, and whiskey thrown into his grave.
The display was so lavish that police reportedly had to guard the grave for months to prevent people from returning to retrieve the money.
The Life of a Socialite
The intense public interest in his death and burial was a reflection of the life Ssemwanga lived. A socialite and businessman whose public image revolved around luxury cars and conspicuous spending, he had moved to South Africa in search of opportunities, reportedly investing in schools, hostels, and apartments.
His extravagant December visits to Kampala often drew crowds and media attention. His celebrity status was further elevated by his relationship with Zari Hassan, with their traditional introduction ceremony reportedly costing more than Shs1 billion.
While his family has previously dismissed speculation that he faked his own death, the renewed questions raised by Njala have once again left the public questioning the truth behind the extravagant life and mysterious death of Ivan Ssemwanga.
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