A public debate has emerged between journalists Simon Kaggwa Njala and Edris Kiggundu following calls from sections of Ugandans demanding detailed medical information surrounding the death of Member of Parliament Helen Nakimuli.
The conversation has intensified online, with citizens questioning why Alexandria Medical Centre has not released full details of what led to the legislator’s death.
The demands have sparked a wider discussion on medical confidentiality, public interest, and how institutions communicate in high-profile deaths.
Edris Kiggundu dismissed the calls for disclosure, saying many people are ignoring basic principles of medical ethics.
“It is strange and funny how even supposedly exposed and educated people are asking Alexandria Medical Centre to reveal ‘details’ of Hon Nakimuli’s health conditions that led to her death,” Kiggundu said.
“Medical facilities and their doctors are not supposed to reveal intimate details of their patients because they are bound by the doctor–patient confidentiality rule.”
He noted that even in cases involving autopsies, medical reports are handled with caution and are not intended for public circulation.
According to him, such information is usually shared only with close family members, and even then, under strict conditions.
“In many cases, patients must first give permission to a doctor to reveal their medical details even to close family members,” he said.
“Now that Nakimuli is dead and not in position to make any decision, only a quack and unethical doctor or facility would reveal details of her health to an emotional public.”
Kiggundu further argued that some of those demanding disclosure would not accept similar exposure of their own medical records.
His remarks were, however, challenged by Simon Kaggwa Njala, who said Kiggundu was misunderstanding how institutions communicate in sensitive situations, especially involving public figures.
“Mr. Kiggundu, with due respect, you need some schooling about what a holding statement is,” Njala responded. “Don’t be simplistic to allow incompetence take root in the country. Two statements are key; a post-mortem and a holding statement.”
Njala said that while medical confidentiality is important, institutions also have a responsibility to manage public communication to prevent speculation and misinformation.
Kiggundu maintained his position, questioning why hospitals would be expected to release post-mortem reports to the public.
“Simon, you have done PR for a hospital. When has this hospital ever made public a post-mortem report unless the close family requests so?” he asked. “Nakimuli’s death has been politicised. She was an MP but her health was a private matter just like your health.”
Njala later responded by referencing his experience in hospital communication and public relations, saying he had previously worked with Mengo Hospital on reputation management issues following patient deaths.
“Invariably yes,” Njala said. “I was hired by Mengo Hospital to offer PR and reputation management consultancy in 2018. The hospital had lost a patient who succumbed after a surgical operation. A communication lapse caused a huge public backlash which affected the hospital’s ratings.”
He added that his team introduced structured communication approaches, including issuing holding statements during sensitive incidents.
“We issued a number of holding statements,” he said. “One of the most prominent was when Mirundi’s daughter died.”
The exchange has highlighted a growing tension between medical confidentiality, institutional communication, and public expectations in cases involving prominent individuals.
While Kiggundu insists that strict privacy must be maintained even after death, Njala argues that structured communication is necessary to manage public trust and prevent misinformation.