Charles Kiggundu

Obstetrician and gynaecologist who advocated for reproductive health rights. He was born on April 17, 1965, in Uganda's Luwero District, died from COVID-19 complications Dec 29, 2020, Kampala, Uganda, aged 55 years. Charles Kiggundu always tried to put a human face his efforts improve maternal services post-abortion care drawing own experiences as working government-run hospitals. In meetings at conferences, he would share the stories of women had asked if provide them with an abortion. But because service is criminalised Uganda only some exceptions, including when pregnancy threatens life mother, turn many away. explain how those returned hospital dire conditions after unsafe abortions. “This one person speak situation facilities then bring that back policy makers”, said Noor Nakibuuka Musisi, Director Programmes social justice non-profit Center Health, Human Rights Development (CEHURD) based Uganda. Kiggundu's clinical transformed him into advocate, decriminalise abortion services. “What wanted never see another mother die”, Musisi. “Dr giant”, Asia Russell, Executive Health GAP, international advocacy organisation. “He dedicated saving women's lives brought fierce empathy behalf advocacy, care, mentoring generations Ugandan east African clinicians.” received Bachelor Medicine Surgery degrees Makerere University Kampala late 1980s. completed specialisation obstetrics gynaecology there 1995. Dan Kaye, now lecturer University's Department Gynaecology Obstetrics, studied alongside Kiggundu. During end post-graduate education, Kaye training Ipas, global organisation focused expanding access contraceptive “That beginning becoming advocate sexual rights”, also Association Obstetricians Gynaecologists (AOGU). “Women used suffer their own”, said. make sure mothers have voice.” addition work Mulago National Referral Hospital Kawempe where served consultant senior gynaecologist, role held time death, took leadership positions domestic organisations. President AOGU 2013 2015 focal International Federation Gynecology Obstetrics' (FIGO) Prevention Unsafe Abortion Initiative ongoing Advocating Safe Project. figurehead, really, project Uganda”, Matthew Pretty, Project Coordinator FIGO could really authority people listened respected what said.” leveraged legal reforms. Among accomplishments, instrumental “advocating be decentralised so nurses midwives perform manual vaginal aspiration treat incomplete abortion”, previously performed by doctors. “It included scope practice midwives.” supported CEHURD other activist groups pushing adoption national guidelines specifically aimed reducing mortality found teach. Ipas trainer contributed workshops organised Reach A Hand youth empowerment organisation, health. stood up said, ‘We are not being fair our young generation. We denying information contraception family planning’”, Ibrahim Batambuze, Head Communications “His call action we need all this information.” colleagues unable secure bed intensive unit fell ill COVID-19. ought highest level saved country”, Musisi survived wife nine children.