Surgeons under their umbrella, the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, have recognized the role played by Prof. Sebastian K. Kyalwazi, the brain behind the establishment of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

This was at a memorial lecture and a surgical landscape exhibition at Protea Hotel in Entebbe on Friday.

The memorial lecture's topic was on resource mobilisation, with a focus on building resilient institutions.

“Government needs to recognise people like Prof. Kyalwazi when giving medals to Nalubaale heroes," said Prof. William Bazeyo, who chairs UCI's board.

Kyalwazi, the first Ugandan surgeon working at UCI, succumbed to lung cancer in 1992.

“Kyalwazi lived a full and accomplished life, he was the most resilient doctor and surgeon who lived the test of time,” said Bazeyo during the gathering to also honour the late specialist, who also once headed the surgery department at Makerere University Medical School.

(L-R): Prof. William Bazeyo chairman board of governors UCI, Fiona Mushanga grand daughter of Prof Kyalwazi Prof Francis Omaswa ED ACHEST and Jane Odubu a consultant surgeon Mulago Hospital after the memorial lecture

He paid tribute to Kyalwazi's leadership skills that saw him bring social scientific research innovations from the US and China to Uganda's cancer institute.

“He had patient care and his work impacted on the society."

Dr. Jackson Orem, the institute's current director, said Kyalwazi's biggest contribution to Uganda was founding UCI.

Kyalwazi picked interest in HHV 8 Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer which affected mostly women at that time. After his research, it was later discovered that it affects HIV and AIDS patients.

He also carried out research on cervical cancer.

'He had time for everyone'

Prof. Francis Omaswa, the Rotary Club of Kampala president and also a senior surgeon, spoke of Kyalwazi as Rotarian who joined the rotary club in 1974.

Omaswa said that he first met Kyalwazi while in Senior One at St. Mary’s College Kisubi and later at Makerere University.

 “Despite being a busy man, he had time for everyone who approached him. He kept time and had time for everyone,” he said.

 "All I want to say is that we need to emulate him. The country needs people like him. He was a no-nonsense person who could not tolerate corruption."

Legacy

The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, was the chief guest at the event in Entebbe. He was represented in person by Msgr Lawrence Ssemusu, the chaplain of Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

In his message, Ssemogerere said the late Kyalwazi had a mission to accomplish, which he did.

“We should ponder on what legacy we are going to leave as fathers, mothers, leaders and as family members."

Papal knight

The meeting of surgeons brought together health experts from different leading hospitals: Mulago, Mengo, Nsambya, Kampala, Nakasero and Henrob, as well as other health providers.

They touched on different matters, included what they described as low pay of surgeons.

Meanwhile, Denis Thomas Kaaya, who spoke on behalf of Kyalwazi's family, said he grew up with the family and saw a smart gentleman who also loved sports.

When the pope visited Uganda in 1969, Kyalwazi was not only a chief surgeon but also a papal knight.

Dr. Frank Asiimwe, the president of Association of Surgeons of Uganda, said surgeons spend a lot of time at their workplaces, which is costly in other areas of their lives.

“Spend more time with family while you work, because after all the time you have spent at work, we get back to our families."