Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Innovations Editor
The death of prominent surgeon, Professor Ignatius Kakande who played an instrumental role in transforming the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) will leave a void in the continent’s medical landscape.
Surgical Society of Zimbabwe president Dr Wilfred Muteweye told The Herald that Prof Kakande was a towering figure in the field of surgery, adding that he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, dedication and transformative leadership.
“The Surgical Society of Zimbabwe joins the broader surgical community across East, Central, and Southern Africa in mourning the loss of this esteemed surgeon, mentor, and scholar,” he said.
“Prof Kakande’s passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of surgeons. COSECSA, and indeed the entire region, is poorer without him, but richer for having known and benefited from his extraordinary life and work. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Prof Kakande, a distinguished surgeon and scholar whose career spanned over 50 years, died on February 18 at the age of 81.
The Ugandan–born eminent scholar played a pivotal role in the formation of COSECSA in 1999, a milestone that revolutionised surgical education and practices across the region.
For more than 15 years, his compatriots say, Prof Kakande served with distinction on the governing council and executive committee of the college, contributing significantly to its growth and establishment as a premier academic institution.
His visionary leadership and tireless efforts laid the foundation for COSECSA’s enduring impact on surgical training and healthcare in Africa.
One of Prof Kakande’s most enduring contributions was his stewardship of the East and Central African Journal of Surgery (ECAJS).
He served as its editor-in-chief from 1995 to 2016, taking over from Professor John Jellis, who had founded the journal in 1975 under the name “Proceedings of the Association of Surgeons of East Africa.”
Under Prof Kakande’s guidance, the ECAJS evolved into a respected peer-reviewed publication, showcasing the innovations, challenges, and triumphs of surgical practice across the continent.
“His commitment to advancing surgical knowledge and fostering academic excellence has left an indelible mark on the field,” Dr Muteweye said.
Prof Kakande qualified as a surgeon in the early 1970s and dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of surgery.
He served as a surgeon and lecturer at several leading institutions, including the University of Nairobi (from 1977), Makerere University, and the National University of Rwanda.
Over the decades, he trained and mentored hundreds of surgeons across the COSECSA region, earning a reputation as a fatherly figure who was deeply respected and admired by his peers and students alike.
“His wisdom, humility, and unwavering dedication to his craft inspired countless individuals to pursue excellence in surgery,” Dr Muteweye said.
Last December, Prof Kakande’s contributions were celebrated when he joined delegates at COSECSA’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Zimbabwe.
“His presence at this milestone event was a testament to his enduring commitment to the college and its mission,” said Dr Muteweye.
Prof Kakande will be best remembered for his commitment to building a platform for African surgeons to showcase innovations, discuss challenges and find mechanisms to improve surgical practice across the African continent.
