KAMPALA — Grief has engulfed Ntinda and beyond following the sudden death of Mr. Tonny Kizito, the visionary entrepreneur who built the famed Yakobo Pork Joint into a household name and a symbol of Uganda’s thriving pork culture.
Mr. Kizito died at dawn on February 24, 2026, sending shockwaves through Kampala’s food industry and the thousands of people whose livelihoods were tied, directly and indirectly, to his enterprise.
He will be laid to rest today in Seeta, Mityana District, as family, friends, workers, and loyal customers struggle to come to terms with the loss of a man many describe as humble, visionary, and fiercely hardworking.
For years, the smoky aroma rising from Yakobo Pork Joint drew crowds from every corner of the city.
What started as a modest backyard roastery in Ntinda gradually evolved into a bustling pork empire, redefining how Ugandans experienced roasted pork.
Under Kizito’s stewardship, pork was no longer just street fare — it became a mainstream culinary experience, complete with organized service, branding, and an atmosphere that blended tradition with modernity.
Regular patrons recall how Kizito would often stand among his customers, greeting them with a warm smile, checking on the quality of the meat, and ensuring every plate met his standards.
“He treated everyone like family,” said one long-time customer, fighting back tears. “Yakobo was not just a place to eat. It was a community.”
Colleagues and industry players say Kizito’s impact stretched far beyond the walls of his eatery. By building a reliable supply chain that linked pig farmers, transporters, butchers, roasters, waiters, and vendors, he created what many now describe as a pork economy.
From rural farmers in central Uganda to urban youth employed as servers and grill masters, countless households depended on the success of Yakobo Pork Joint.
In a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, Kizito’s enterprise stood as proof that innovation and grit could open doors. He never held political office, nor did he seek the spotlight in government circles.
Yet through business alone, he generated income opportunities for multitudes. Industry observers note that before the mid-1980s, pigs were often kept more as backyard animals than as the foundation of a large-scale culinary industry.
Kizito saw potential where others saw little more than tradition.
Over time, Yakobo Pork Joint became more than a restaurant; it became a landmark.
On weekends, the venue was packed with families, corporate workers unwinding after long days, and revelers seeking Kampala’s most talked-about pork.
The sizzle of meat on charcoal grills and the laughter of satisfied customers became synonymous with Ntinda nightlife.
News of his death spread rapidly on Tuesday morning, with social media flooded by tributes from entrepreneurs, food lovers, and former employees.
Many credited him with mentoring young people and instilling discipline in his workforce. Others described him as a risk-taker who dared to professionalize what had long been considered informal trade.
At the Ntinda premises yesterday, workers gathered in small groups, some in tears, others staring blankly at the grills that once roared with activity. “He changed my life,” said a staff member who has worked at Yakobo for over a decade.
“I started here with nothing. Because of him, I built a house and educated my children.”
Family members have described his passing as a devastating blow. While details surrounding the cause of death have not been publicly disclosed, the abruptness of his departure has left many stunned.
Just days ago, customers say, he was seen at the joint, overseeing operations as usual.
As preparations for his burial in Seeta, Mityana District, get underway, tributes continue to pour in. Business leaders are calling for his legacy to be preserved, urging Ugandans to celebrate homegrown entrepreneurs who build industries from the ground up.
In death, Tonny Kizito leaves behind more than a successful business. He leaves behind a transformed culinary landscape, a network of empowered farmers and workers, and a generation inspired by his story.
From a simple backyard roastery to a pork empire that redefined taste and opportunity, his journey stands as a testament to vision, resilience, and the power of believing in one’s craft.
As smoke slowly rises once more from the grills of Yakobo, it carries not just the scent of roasted pork, but the memory of a man whose dream fed a nation — and whose dawn departure has left Ntinda in mourning.
