Uganda’s medical fraternity is in shock following the sudden and unexplained death of Dr. Spire Kiggundu, a celebrated gynaecologist and pioneer of laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery in the country.
Dr. Kiggundu, who was serving as President of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Uganda (ALSU), was found dead under unclear circumstances.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of death, but colleagues and patients alike have described the news as a devastating blow to Uganda’s healthcare advancement.
Based at Henrob Hospital in Zzana, Dr Kiggundu was a consultant gynaecologist and fertility expert known for championing safer, less invasive surgical methods. He was at the forefront of introducing laparoscopic procedures—surgery performed through small incisions using a camera—to regional referral hospitals and low-resource settings.
“We have lost not just a surgeon, but a visionary,” said Dr Elizabeth Kutamba, a pediatrician at Health Haven Clinic in Bukoto.
“Dr Spire was instrumental in bringing modern, patient-centered surgical care to communities that were previously left behind.”
Under his leadership, ALSU partnered with facilities such as Kyabirwa Surgical Centre in Jinja, where more than 1,500 laparoscopic procedures—including appendectomies and hernia repairs—have been successfully performed.
He also advocated for more affordable access to laparoscopic tools, which can cost up to Shs6.5 million per setup—an obstacle he repeatedly warned was limiting wider adoption.
At the 2024 Association of Surgeons of Uganda Conference, Dr. Kiggundu emphasized the need for government investment in surgical equipment and training to reduce maternal mortality and prevent costly medical referrals abroad.
Beyond the operating room, Dr Kiggundu was known for his passionate advocacy on women’s health issues, especially endometriosis and infertility.
He trained dozens of young doctors and worked to ensure that reproductive healthcare in Uganda became more compassionate, affordable, and evidence-based.
As word of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the country—from senior surgeons and former students to grateful patients whose lives he touched.
Dr. Kiggundu’s death leaves a significant void in Uganda’s health sector at a time when the nation is striving to improve maternal health outcomes and expand access to modern surgical care.