New developments have surfaced surrounding the sudden and puzzling death of Dr. John Spire Kiggundu, the renowned founder of Henrob Hospital in Zzana and a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery in Uganda.
Contrary to earlier reports that suggested a heart attack, police investigations now point to more mysterious circumstances including the involvement of an unidentified woman.
Dr. Kiggundu, who also served as president of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Uganda (ALSU), was found dead on Sunday under unclear circumstances at a guest house in Zzana, Kampala.
CCTV footage retrieved by police shows a woman entering his room shortly before his death, raising fresh questions about what truly happened.
According to investigators, Dr. Kiggundu checked into the guest house alone, arriving in his black BMW (registration number UBA 547E) and booking Room 111. Just ten minutes later, at approximately 5:45 p.m., security cameras recorded a woman entering the same room.
Her identity remains unknown, and police say she is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
Dr. Kiggundu’s body was discovered about 15 hours after he was first reported missing. By the time of publication, police had not released an official cause of death, but spokesperson Kituma Rusoke confirmed that a postmortem examination would be conducted to determine the circumstances.
His death has shocked the medical community and beyond. Widely recognized as a trailblazer in modern surgical techniques, Dr. Kiggundu had spent years championing minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery in Uganda’s public and private hospitals. His efforts made safer and more affordable surgical options available to countless women, particularly in underserved communities.
Until his passing, he served as a consultant gynecologist at Henrob Hospital. Earlier this year, during the Association of Surgeons of Uganda Conference, he laid out an ambitious plan to expand laparoscopic services to rural areas.
He played a pivotal role in enabling institutions like Kyabirwa Surgical Centre in Jinja to perform over 1,500 laparoscopic surgeries while training local surgical teams.
Dr. Kiggundu’s impact extended into fertility care, endometriosis awareness, and advocacy for increased government support in surgical technology and training. His holistic approach to women’s health earned him widespread respect and admiration.
News of his death triggered an outpouring of grief across Uganda. Dr. Herbert Luswata, President of the Uganda Medical Association, praised him as a visionary who transformed surgical care in the country.
“He believed in transforming healthcare through modern, accessible technology,” Luswata said. “His legacy is unmatched.”
The loss has been especially painful for his younger brother, Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo an academic and media personality who shared a deeply emotional tribute. In it, he reflected on their close relationship, describing how Dr. Kiggundu had evolved from brother to father figure, and how he often spoke about his fear of dying.
Human rights activist and journalist Agather Atuhaire, a close associate of the family, also expressed heartbreak at the tragic outcome after hours of hope during his disappearance. She described Dr. Kiggundu as a devoted family man and a quiet giant in the healthcare sector.
In a follow-up statement, she clarified that his death was unrelated to her recent detention experience in Tanzania, and urged the public to wait for the family’s official update on the cause of death.
As the investigation continues, Uganda mourns the loss of not just a skilled surgeon, but a health reformer who dedicated his life to making care more dignified, modern, and accessible. Dr. Kiggundu’s vision was only beginning to take root — and his death leaves a profound void at a time when his leadership was needed most.
