Kampala, Uganda: Renowned Ugandan cartoonist Jim Spire Ssentongo has dismissed social media claims that his brother, Dr John Spire Kiggundu, was kidnapped or murdered, clarifying that he died of a heart attack.
Spire’s response came amid a wave of online speculation surrounding the sudden death of Dr Kiggundu, who was reportedly found dead on Sunday, a day after he had passed, according to post-mortem results.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, Spire described the circulating claims as disinformation and urged the public to respect the family’s grief.
“It is not true that he was shot or dumped in a trench. He was not kidnapped by anyone. He was not killed for political or any other reasons,” he wrote.
Spire further clarified that a professional post-mortem had confirmed Dr Kiggundu died of a heart attack.
The cartoonist also dismissed suggestions of any business or personal relationship between his late brother and the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek Charles Peter Mayiga.
“He had no business relationship with Owek Mayiga. He was simply a chief guest during the 2020 launch of Henrob Hospital, which he built from scratch, naming it after his sons Henry and Robert,” he added.
Spire appealed to the public to ignore what he called “harmful and unfounded” conspiracy theories, emphasizing the need for respect and sensitivity during the family’s mourning period.
“Kindly disregard the disinformation that may cause unnecessary harm and hatred to others. Let John rest.”
Dr John Spire Kiggundu was a prominent medical doctor and founder of Henrob Hospital, which grew from a small clinic in 2003 to a fully established health facility in Kampala.
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