In the heart of Kampala, where the streets pulse with life and the echoes of Saad Shots’ shutter once captured the nation’s spirit, the news of his passing on April 18, 2025, sent shockwaves through Uganda.
Saad Byakuleka, known as Saad Shots, was more than a photographer—he was a storyteller whose lens immortalized the raw beauty of the country’s entertainment, wildlife, and sports scenes.
His death, announced by mbu.ug just hours ago, left a void in the hearts of many, but his legacy lives on through the powerful images that defined a generation.
One such photo, a black-and-white shot of a lioness mid-roar in Queen Elizabeth National Park, became an emblem of Uganda’s untamed wilderness, shared thousands of times on X and even gracing the walls of international galleries.
Another iconic image—a candid moment of musicians mid-performance at a Nyege Nyege festival—captured the electric energy of Uganda’s cultural scene, sparking conversations about the role of art in national identity.
Saad’s ability to freeze moments of profound emotion made him a household name, and his photos often stirred the nation’s conscience.
His most controversial yet impactful shot, a 2023 image of street children playing football barefoot amidst a rainstorm in Kampala’s slums, went viral, prompting government officials to address urban poverty more urgently—an effort that led to new community programs.
Saad, a soft-spoken man with a passion for sports bikes and travel, as noted by mbu.ug, poured his soul into every frame, often risking his safety to get the perfect shot, like his haunting photograph of a lone fisherman silhouetted against a stormy Lake Victoria, which won him an East African Photography Award in 2024.
As Ugandans mourn his loss, they return to these images—each a testament to Saad’s genius—finding solace in the way he saw their world, a nation he rocked with every click of his camera.
