Renown cartoonist and human rights defender, Prof. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, has disputed rumours surrounding the death of his brother, Dr. John Spire Kiggundu who passed away on Sunday.
Dr Kiggundu, a consultant gynecologist and President of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Uganda (ALSU), was found dead about 15 hours after he was first reported missing. Rumors had started circulating that he was a victim of foul play on account of his brother’s activism work, which has sometimes pitted him against big shots in government.
“Though it may not be the right time amidst grieving, I just want to dispel of the harmful disinformation circulating around Dr John Spire Kiggundu’s sudden death:
1. It is NOT TRUE that he was shot and dumped in a trench.
2. He WAS NOT kidnapped by anyone.
3. It is NOT TRUE that he was killed by anyone for political or other reasons.
4. The post-mortem report (credibly done) shows that he died of a heart attack and was only found a day after.
5. It is not true that he had ANY business relationship with Owek. Peter Mayiga. He was only a chief guest at the launch of Henrob Hospital in 2020 – which Kiggundu built over the years through very hard work from a one room clinic in 2003 to where it is now. It is named after his sons Henry and Robert.” Spire Ssentongo posted on his page.
“Kindly disregard the disinformation that may cause unnecessary harm and hatred to others. Let John rest.” He stated.
Prof. Jimmy Spire’s statement provided some relief to his brother’s colleagues, patients, and advocates, still mourning the loss of one of Uganda’s foremost champions of reproductive and minimally invasive healthcare.
Until his death, Dr Kiggundu served as a consultant gynaecologist at Henrob Hospital in Zzana and was widely credited with pushing for the adoption of laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery in public hospitals.
His work brought safer, faster, and more affordable surgical procedures to women in both urban and rural settings. He worked tirelessly to demystify and decentralize these services, advocating for government investment in laparoscopic tools and training across the country.
He was instrumental in helping facilities like Kyabirwa Surgical Centre in Jinja conduct over 1,500 laparoscopic procedures and train local surgical teams. His efforts extended beyond surgery to areas such as fertility care and endometriosis awareness, making him a holistic advocate for women’s health.
After his death, Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
wrote about the bond with Dr Kiggundu recalling how Dr Kiggundu had moved from being his brother to a father figure and how he often spoke of his fear of death.
Human rights activist and journalist Agather Atuhaire, a close associate of Dr Ssentongo, also mourned the passing, describing Dr Kiggundu as a man who loved his family and contributed immensely to the health sector.
According to the burial program released on Sunday, there will be a night vigil at the deceased’s home in Zzana on Monday before the body leaves for their ancestral home in Butozi, Masaka on Tuesday morning. Burial will be at 4:00PM starting with a mass at 2:00PM.
