Ugandan soldier speaks of medical ingenuity in face of war, launches memoir on life in Somalia

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A Ugandan military surgeon who spent a decade navigating the horrors of Somalia’s conflict zones has released a memoir chronicling his journey of resilience, innovation and sacrifice.

Brig. Dr James Kiyengo, a general surgeon in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), launched Cutting Through Hell: Medical Ingenuity in the Face of War, a raw account of his experiences treating civilians and soldiers amid relentless violence and decay.

Speaking to New Vision Online at Kampala’s Fairway Hotel ahead of the book launch, Kiyengo described the memoir as a fusion of military duty, medical improvisation and introspection.

“I operated in a place that looked like hell: Diseases from history books, a war that stole children’s futures. But I emerged reborn, as if ascending to heaven,” he said, recalling his final evacuation from Mogadishu by helicopter.

From Uganda to Mogadishu

Born into a family that valued hard work and self-reliance, Kiyengo credits his survival to relentless self-education. After training as a surgeon and rising through the UPDF ranks, his defining chapter began with a deployment to Somalia under the African Union Mission. As one of the few specialised military surgeons in the region, he became a lifeline for Somalis trapped in crossfires or abandoned by a collapsed healthcare system.

“There was no room for specialisation: Neurosurgery, obstetrics, cardiothoracic emergencies, I did it all,” he said.

A memoir of horror and hope

A copy of a new book titled “Cutting through Hell” authored by Dr Kiyengo being displayed during the launch at Fairway Hotel Kampala on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Cutting Through Hell delves into the intersection of war, faith and humanity. Chapters like “Baptised in Hell” and “Giving Somalis a Smile” juxtapose grim realities with moments of triumph. Kiyengo recounts performing surgeries under dim lights, battling diseases like leprosy and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and grappling with the psychological toll of loss.

“The ‘heaven’ in my title isn’t a place—it’s the peace I clung to after leaving Somalia,” he said.

War’s toll on Africa’s soul

Kiyengo’s reflections extend beyond personal experience. He critiques the cycle of conflict plaguing the continent: “Why always Africa? Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, DRC. What legacy did we inherit? How do we rebuild?” He paints haunting images of child soldiers and shattered communities, urging a reimagining of governance and unity.

Brig. Gen. Dr James Kiyengo gives a speech during the launch of his new book titled “Cutting through Hell” at Fairway Hotel Kampala on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu)

Sacrifice and legacy

A decade in Somalia cost Kiyengo his family’s cohesion.

“We once shared meals; now we eat in silence. The war left us drifting,” he said.

Yet it also forged unyielding resilience: “I learned to survive alone: To cook, cut my hair, endure.”

The memoir has drawn praise. Military colleagues, including Lt (rtd) Andrew Gutti, hailed Kiyengo’s life-saving work, while Works Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala urged Ugandans to emulate his selflessness.

Uganda army spokesperson Andrew Felix Kulayigye lauded Kiyengo’s transformative impact on Somali women’s lives but lamented societal ingratitude for such sacrifices.

Kiyengo hopes his story will inspire future generations. Already, his alma mater plans to integrate the book into military and security studies curricula—a testament to its enduring message of ingenuity, survival, and the unyielding human spirit.