Museveni mourns ex-deputy health minister Batwala, says was patriotic and dedicated

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President Yoweri Museveni has described the deceased former Deputy Health Minister, Dr Ignatius James Batwala, as a patriotic and dedicated doctor who served Ugandans diligently and wholeheartedly.

In a message delivered by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in-charge of East African Affairs Rebecca Kadaga, Museveni described Batwala’s death as an unfortunate occurrence. The deceased doctor served as deputy minister in Museveni's post guerrilla war cabinet.

The remarks were delivered during a funeral service at his home in Muguluka village in Jinja district on January 6, 2026.

Kadaga also delivered the President’s condolence of shillings 10 million to the bereaved family, to help with funeral and burial arrangements.

Busoga bishop Prof. Grace Lubaale said the diocese would work in conjunction with the family to set up a foundation in memory of the late Batwala’s contribution towards improvement of the health sector in Uganda.

Central Busoga Diocesan Bishop, Patrick Wakula speaking during Thanksgiving Service for the late Dr Batwala.

The Bishop said this in reaction to widow Aida Batwala expressing concern that none of the speeches made at the funeral mentioned the idea of initiating a foundation body in memory of her husband’s dedication towards service delivery.

Who was Batwala?

• Batwala was born on October 10, 1939
• Studied at Busoga College Mwiri and Makerere College (1959- 1961) 
• Makerere Medical School from 1961 to 1965.
• He first worked as an intern doctor at Mulago Hospital. 
• In 1968, he went to the University of London for further studies while also working at Queen Charlton Hospital before returning home as a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in 1970. He thereafter worked in Mbale and later Mulago hospital.
• From 1975 to 1979, Batwala was a consultant Obstetrician and Honorary Lecture at Makerere University.
• From 1980 to 1986, he was a senior consultant Obstetrician/Gynecologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics at Makerere University.
• After the National Resistance Army (NRA), the Movement government captured state power, he was named a deputy health minister, a position he occupied from 1986 until 1889, when he left Government and went into private practice.
• He founded Fiona Clinic, where he has been working until his death.
• In the 2000s, Batwala served the Busoga cultural institution ‘Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga’ as health minister and deputy Katukiro (prime minister) during the reign of Kyabazinga Henry Waako Muloki.

Batwala is survived by eight children, including seven girls and Moses Batwala. 

He was laid to rest at his home in Muguluka along the Jinja–Kamuli road in Jinja district.

The funeral was also attended by bishops; Patrick Wakula (Central Busoga), George Bogere Egesa (Bukedi), as well as retired bishops; Dr Micheal Kyomya (Busoga diocese),  Dr Paul Samson Naimanhye (Busoga diocese) and Eria Paul Luzinda (Mukono diocese).