Fresh scrutiny has emerged over the death of Kalangala Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, with a US-based medical doctor now demanding detailed accountability from the health facility where she died.
Dr Julius Ssenkandwa has publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding the MP’s death, which occurred following a surgical procedure at Alexandria Medical Center.
Reports indicate Nakimuli had undergone a myomectomy, a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids, but did not survive the operation.
In a statement, Ssenkandwa said the hospital has a responsibility to provide clarity to both Parliament and the bereaved family.
“Well, it’s common knowledge now that the late had allegedly gone for myomectomy (fibroids surgery) but she did not make it off the surgical table. Alexandria Medical Center you have a responsibility to explain to her family how your patient died,” he stated.
The doctor, who described Nakimuli as an acquaintance, raised a series of technical and procedural questions, focusing on pre-operative planning, surgical execution, and post-operative management.
He called on the facility to release both pre- and post-surgery plans to help establish what may have gone wrong. He also questioned the roles played by the surgical team, including the lead surgeon, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
“Can you avail to Parliament and the family a pre- and post surgery plan to help the family fully understand what led to Hellen Nakimuli’s death?” he asked.
Ssenkandwa further sought clarity on the type of surgical procedure performed, questioning whether it was an open (general) surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic operation.
If laparoscopic, he raised concerns about how the team managed carbon dioxide insufflation, a standard process used to inflate the abdomen during such procedures.
He also pointed to the possibility of an air embolism—a rare but potentially fatal complication where gas enters the bloodstream—as a potential cause of sudden death on the operating table.
“In this case, during laparoscopic surgery, gas used to inflate the abdomen can enter the bloodstream… How was this handled?” he posed.
On anesthesia, the doctor emphasized the need for transparency regarding the drugs administered and the overall anesthesia plan.
He questioned whether agents such as Propofol or Sevoflurane were used and whether the procedure involved general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care.
“The anesthesia team had to review the patient's vitals, lab results, and health history to determine the safest method,” he noted, while clarifying he was engaging as a learner seeking expert clarification.