Ugandan physician Dr Asiimwe killed in Tanga road crash

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Dr Stephen Asiimwe, a Ugandan physician, epidemiologist and public health researcher, has died in a road crash in Tanzania.

Dr Asiimwe died on September 21, 2026, in Tanga Region after he was knocked by a truck while riding his motorcycle.

He had departed Uganda on September 16 with the Free Bikers and Ride Safe group for Tanga, Tanzania, travelling through Nairobi. Dr Asiimwe was the team leader of the group.

At the time of his death, he served as honorary senior lecturer at Mbarara University and programme director of the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)-Global Health at Massachusetts General Hospital Health Collaborative.

The partnership brings together institutions including MUST, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and international academic partners.

He was also involved with the Kabwohe Clinical Research Centre (KCRC) in Sheema district, where he had been involved in clinical and community-based research, particularly HIV prevention and other public health studies.

His research portfolio had expanded beyond HIV to areas including lung health, air pollution, ageing and HIV, cognitive impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and implementation and public health research.

Uganda’s national research registry lists several of his current and recent studies.

He was also listed as a consultant in the Department of Community Health at MUST and had an extensive publication record.

Connection with Mbarara and western Uganda

Dr Asiimwe was particularly prominent in western Uganda because of his long-standing involvement in Mbarara’s academic, clinical and community health research ecosystem, including MUST and the Kabwohe Clinical Research Centre (KCRC).

KCRC was started by Dr Elioda Tumwesigye and a group of clinical researchers interested in finding ways to prevent HIV infection and dedicated to improving the health of rural people.

Dr Asiimwe had also been involved with the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) Mbarara, where a 2026 AIC notice identifies him as the Mbarara Regional Advisory Committee chairperson.

On June 8, 2026, Dr Asiimwe had spoken about deaths on Uganda’s roads.

"As a public health practitioner, it hurts so much when you see preventable deaths. Our roads and drivers have long been deadly. But when it hits close, you just go numb. My young nephew Arnold just lost his life on account of a flimsy matatu driver and the road. Am so sad mad. Why?"

Tributes

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), together with Global Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, “mourns the passing of Dr Asiimwe, Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, who passed away on Monday, in Tanga Region, Tanzania. He will be remembered for his support for research, innovation and mentorship. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Willington Amutuhaire, a close friend in the health sector, said, “What a loss. My friend Dr Asiimwe, we were chatting about 2 days ago on how to collaborate on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Western Uganda. I am so saddened by your untimely death. Uganda and the world has lost. Prayers to your family”

GHC Research Collaboration Ltd said, “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Dr Asiimwe, our former Program Director. His immense contribution to research at Mbarara University leaves a lasting legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”