Former minister Henry Kyemba has passed away at the age of 84 due to diabetes, according to a family member. Mr. Christopher Katagwa, his nephew, confirmed that Kyemba died on Wednesday evening at his residence in Namugongo, a suburb of Kampala, where he had been under the care of his eldest daughter, Susan Kyemba.

Kyemba had been battling diabetes for a significant portion of his life, and his health had deteriorated in recent times, rendering him less active. He was the last of seven sons born to Suleiman Kisadha, a colonial chief in Mayuge District, and Sasana Babirizangawo.

The family has not yet announced burial arrangements, but it is confirmed that Kyemba will be laid to rest at the family’s burial grounds in Wanyama Village, Bugembe Ward, Jinja North Division, Jinja City.

Throughout his career, Henry Kyemba held various high-ranking positions, including Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture (1972), Minister of Health during President Idi Amin’s regime, Principal Private Secretary to President Milton Obote, and State Minister for Animal Husbandry in the early years of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime. His contributions and roles in different administrations have left a significant mark on Uganda’s political history.

He recalled and made sure a few events that occurred on his watch would not die with him before he sought asylum in Britain in the year 1977, the events were later published by The New York Times.