Uganda's first female orthopaedic surgeon Dr Namusoke dies

Uganda’s first female orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Namusoke Jamirah, who was a consultant Surgeon at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, has died after a battle with kidney disease, the hospital management announced on Friday.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our staff consultant, Dr Namusoke Jamirah, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and the first female orthopaedic surgeon whose remarkable contribution to the medical profession and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital will forever be remembered," the hospital said in a Friday statement.

Her death happened about 10 months after well-wishers ran campaigns to raise Shs200 million for her kidney transplant.

This publication was yet to determine whether enough money was raised to make her access the care, which many Ugandans struggle to access due to cost and the need to travel abroad for the services.

In the statement, Jinja Hospital eulogised her, saying she was more than a surgeon.

The hospital management described Dr Namusoke as, ‘’a life-saver whose skill, dedication and commitment to patient care left a lasting mark on the lives of many".

One of the remarkable stories associated with her work was the rescue and treatment of Samuel Leeds, a British tourist who sustained serious injuries in an accident on the River Nile.

"Dr Namusoke played a critical role in saving his life. Deeply moved by the care he received, Samuel later made a lasting contribution to the hospital through the construction of the orthopaedic ward that bears his name – Samuel Leeds Ward," the hospital stated.

This ward, the hospital observed, stands as a lasting reminder of how one doctor's dedication to saving a life helped inspire a contribution that continues to benefit countless patients.

"Her legacy lives on not only in the patients she treated, but also in the generations of medical professionals she inspired and the institution she helped strengthen," the statement reads further.

In a social media post, Mr Samuel Leeds extended his heartfelt message describing Dr Namusoke as one who saved him on the door of death.

‘’I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Dr Jamirah. One of the few orthopaedic surgeons in Uganda who operated on me when I was on death's door. I’m sure she is at peace with the Lord now, but meanwhile her legacy lives on here on earth. We will never forget what you did for me, and so many others. (Samuel Leeds).’’

Dr Frank Asiimwe, the President of the Uganda Medical Association, told this publication when reached on the phone that he learnt of the news on social media and was yet to get more information.

Dr Namusoke

For decades, Dr Jamirah Namusoke has been a lifeline to patients who walk into hospital wards in pain, fear and uncertainty.

As Uganda’s first female orthopaedic surgeon, she broke barriers in a male-dominated field and dedicated her life to restoring mobility and dignity to countless people. But later, the doctor who had healed so many urgently needed healing herself.

Dr Namusoke battled advanced kidney disease and required an urgent kidney transplant abroad. The life-saving procedure and related care were estimated to cost about $55,000 (approximately Shs200 million), a sum far beyond the reach of an individual public servant in Uganda. Friends, colleagues and well-wishers launched a public appeal to raise the funds needed to save her life.

Those who knew Dr Namusoke described her as compassionate, tireless and deeply committed to service. Even as her health had deteriorated, she continued to show up for her patients and students whenever she could, driven by a strong sense of duty and love for her work.

Her selfless service once touched a life that would later come full circle. In 2019, Dr Namusoke was part of the team that treated Samuel Leeds, a UK tourist and philanthropist who sustained serious injuries while rafting on the River Nile.

Moved by the care he received, Mr Leeds, through the Samuel Leeds Foundation, later donated Shs1 billion to build and equip an orthopaedic ward at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, where Dr Namusoke worked. It was a powerful reminder that compassion often returns in unexpected ways.

Dr Namusoke’s journey is one of resilience and quiet excellence. She began her career in 1995 as a qualified dispenser at Entebbe Grade A Hospital. Determined to do more, she pursued medicine between 1999 and 2004, later serving as a medical officer at Kibuli Hospital. Her passion for orthopaedics led her to further studies, and she graduated with a Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Since 2016, she has worked at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, helping to grow the orthopaedic department into a teaching centre for postgraduate students. She also lectured at Kampala International University, inspiring many young women to consider careers in surgery.

A mother and wife, Dr Namusoke traced her education to Bukoyo Primary School in Iganga, and later Tororo and Nabisunsa Girls’ Schools. Her life story mirrored that of many Ugandans who rise through determination, faith and service to others.