The death of Dr. John Kiggundu, a renowned Ugandan gynaecologist and founder of Henrob Hospital, has shocked the nation and raised many questions. On Monday, July 2, 2025, Kampala Metropolitan Police arrested a woman, Eva Mbabazi, believed to be the last person seen with Dr. Kiggundu before he passed away at Dream Guest House in Kajjansi on June 22, 2025. Her account of what happened offers some insight, but the police are still digging for answers. Dr. Kiggundu, born in September 1977, was a leading figure in Uganda’s medical field, known for making advanced surgeries like laparoscopy accessible to many. Here’s what we know so far, explained simply for every Ugandan to understand.
Who Was Dr. John Kiggundu?
Dr. Kiggundu was a respected doctor who ran Henrob Hospital in Zzana, along Entebbe Road. He was the president of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Uganda (ALSU) and an expert in minimally invasive surgeries that helped women with conditions like infertility and endometriosis. At 47 years old, he was admired for training other doctors and making complex medical care affordable. His sudden death in a guest house has left his family, patients, and colleagues heartbroken.
What Did the Woman Say Happened?
Eva Mbabazi, a woman in her early 20s, was arrested in Seeta, Mukono District, after police searched for her. She is being held at Kajjansi Police Station, where she gave a statement about what happened. According to a police source, Mbabazi met Dr. Kiggundu in 2018 when she went with her sister to Henrob Hospital for a maternity visit. They stayed in touch over the years, mostly through phone calls and WhatsApp. In the three months before his death, they spoke 17 times by phone and messaged on WhatsApp.
Mbabazi told police that on June 21, 2025, she and Dr. Kiggundu planned to meet in Kajjansi around 5:00 PM. He asked her to come to Dream Guest House. When she arrived at about 5:45 PM, she found two bottles—one of water and one of Minute Maid juice, both half-empty—along with HIV testing kits and Panadol Extra tablets in the room. They spent about 30 minutes together, and everything seemed fine. Then, Dr. Kiggundu started breathing heavily. She asked what was wrong, but he couldn’t answer. His breathing got worse, and she thought he might have epilepsy. Scared, she left the room when he didn’t get better.
Why Did She Return to the Room?
Mbabazi told police she went back to the room after leaving because she forgot a bottle of perfume Dr. Kiggundu had given her as a gift. She found him lying quietly on the bed, still unresponsive. She left again and tried calling him later, hoping he was okay, but he didn’t pick up. She only learned he had died when she saw it on the news. Even though she knew what happened, she didn’t tell anyone, which has raised questions.
What Did CCTV and Police Find?
Police used CCTV footage from Dream Guest House to track Mbabazi. The footage shows Dr. Kiggundu arriving alone at 5:20 PM on June 21, 2025, in his black BMW (registration number UBA 547E). He spoke to the receptionist, got the key to Room 111, and carried two bottles—one of water and one of juice. He left the door unlocked, suggesting he was expecting someone. At 5:45 PM, Mbabazi entered the room, wearing trousers with white stripes, a blouse, a black jacket, and a cross-body bag. She left after seven minutes, returned briefly, and then left again through a back exit.
The next morning, June 22, guest house workers found Dr. Kiggundu’s body and called the police. Officers found $1,370, UGX 93,000, a phone tablet, car keys, and the half-empty bottles in the room. There were no signs of a struggle or violence, which made the case puzzling. Police used the CCTV footage and phone records to find Mbabazi.
Was It a Heart Problem or Something Else?
Dr. Kiggundu’s family believes he died of natural causes. At a requiem mass on June 23, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Lweza, his brother, Dr. Julius Luyimbazi, shared findings from a post-mortem done at Mulago Hospital. The report said Dr. Kiggundu died of acute cardiomyopathy, a heart condition caused by narrowed arteries and weak heart muscles. “There were no injuries, his stomach was empty, and there was no sign of violence,” Luyimbazi told mourners, asking people to stop spreading rumors.
However, police are still investigating to confirm if it was natural or if something else happened. Assistant Superintendent Luke Owoyesigyire said they are waiting for forensic and toxicology reports. The case file, including Mbabazi’s statement and the post-mortem, has been sent to the Resident State Attorney for advice on whether to press charges, like homicide, or close the case.
Why Is This Case So Talked About?
Dr. Kiggundu was a well-known doctor, and his death has sparked a lot of talk, especially on social media. Some people speculated about kidnapping or murder, partly because his brother, Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, is a famous activist known for campaigns like #KampalaPotholeExhibition. Police have asked the public to avoid spreading unverified stories. SSP Patrick Onyango, a police spokesperson, urged people to wait for official updates.
What Was Dr. Kiggundu’s Impact?
Dr. Kiggundu was more than a doctor; he was a game-changer in Uganda’s healthcare. Through Henrob Hospital, he made laparoscopic surgery—operations with small cuts that heal faster—available to many women. He trained doctors across the country and was known for his kindness and dedication. At his requiem mass, patients and colleagues shared stories of how he helped them, filling the church with mourners. His brother, Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, wrote online about his deep sadness, saying Dr. Kiggundu feared death and never thought he’d pass so soon.
What Happens Next?
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will decide if Mbabazi faces charges or if the case is closed as a natural death. Police are waiting for more test results to confirm the cause of death. Mbabazi is still at Kajjansi Police Station, and her delay in reporting what happened has raised suspicions, even though she’s cooperating.
For now, Uganda waits for answers. Was Dr. Kiggundu’s death a tragic heart issue, as his family believes, or is there more to uncover? The truth will come out as police and the DPP continue their work. To honor Dr. Kiggundu, let’s stick to the facts and support his family. For updates, follow trusted news sources or check with Kampala Metropolitan Police.
