Henry Kyemba
{{Short description|Ugandan political figure (1939–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
Henry Kisaja Magumba Kyemba (8 February 1939 – 18 October 2023) was a Ugandan political figure who held several high positions and finally became Minister of Health during Uganda's rule by Idi Amin.{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2003-08-16/world/amin.obituary_1_idi-amin-ugandan-army-ugandan-government?_s=PM:WORLD |title=Idi Amin: 'Butcher of Uganda' |date=19 August 2003 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=29 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822171707/http://articles.cnn.com/2003-08-16/world/amin.obituary_1_idi-amin-ugandan-army-ugandan-government?_s=PM%3AWORLD |archivedate=22 August 2011 }} He served in that post from February 1974 until May 1977, when he fled into exile.{{cite news| last = Harvey| first = Roy| title = Henry K. M. Kyemba's Inside Story| newspaper = Sepia| pages = 28–30| volume = 28| issue = 7| date = 1979| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9m8eAQAAMAAJ}} He was also the author of State of Blood, a 1977 book he wrote after his flight from Uganda that describes Amin's tyrannical rule.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/reborn-amin-puts-uganda-centre-stage/2007/02/18/1171733612888.html|title=Reborn Amin puts Uganda centre stage|date=19 February 2007|work=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=29 October 2010}}
Early life and education
Henry Kisaja Magumba Kyemba was likely born in Bunya County in Busoga on 8 February 1939,{{cite web | url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/henry-kyemba-the-man-who-joined-politics-by-accident-1562988 | title=Henry Kyemba: The man who joined politics by accident | date=5 January 2021 }}{{cite news |title=State of Blood author Henry Kyemba dead |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/10/19/state-of-blood-author-henry-kyemba-dead/ |access-date=19 October 2023 |publisher=NilePost |date=19 October 2023}} to Suzana Babirizangawo Mutekanga and Suleiman Kisajja, a colonial administrator.
Kyemba attended local primary schools, before joining Busoga College Mwiri for his Cambridge School Certificate (1951–1956). He was at Makerere University between 1957 and 1962 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in History.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
Kyemba held a master's degree in history from Northwestern University, Evanston, US and a Certificate in African studies from the same university. He also held an Honours degree in history from the London University.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
Career
Kyemba joined the Uganda civil service on the eve of Uganda's independence from Britain in 1962. He was the Principal Private Secretary to then Prime Minister of Uganda, Milton Obote. Following the 1971 Ugandan coup d'état, he joined Amin's cabinet, rising through the ranks to become the Minister of Health (1974–1977) during Amin's regime.{{Cite book|title=Uganda: Building of a Nation|publisher=Vision Group|year=2012|isbn=9789970447008|location=Kampala|pages=41}} Kyemba defected to London in 1977, where he wrote a book on Amin's regime titled: "A State of Blood." He returned to Uganda in 1986, and he served as Secretary of Judicial Service Commission.
Life and service in Rotary International
Henry Kyemba was fiercely dedicated member of the Rotary International movement, becoming Rotarian in 1987 as a Charter Member of The Source of the Nile Rotary Club now in Jinja City. Under Henry Kyemba's influence and contribution, the Rotary Movement grew even bigger in Uganda to now include some 400 clubs as of 2023. Uganda is now in District 9213, along with the vast nation of Tanzania.
At the time of his demise, Henry Kyemba was a Past District Governor (PDG) of Rotary International District 9200 (Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania). District governor is the highest office possible in the Rotary International Movement at district level, with only the President of Rotary International being as leader of the global movement being bigger. The Rotary Club claims that his contributions positively impacted millions.
Death
Henry Kyemba died from diabetes-related complications on 18 October 2023, at the age of 84 in a suburb of Kampala.[https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ex-minister-henry-kyemba-dies-at-84-family-4406258 Ex-minister Henry Kyemba dies at 84 – family]
Writings
- {{cite book|last=Kyemba|first=Henry|authorlink=Henry Kyemba|year=1977|title=A State of Blood: The Inside Story of Idi Amin |publisher=Ace Books|location=New York|id={{Listed Invalid ISBN|0-441-78524-4}} }}
References
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Category:Ugandan non-fiction writers
Category:Health ministers of Uganda
Category:Diabetes-related deaths
Category:20th-century Ugandan writers
Category:20th-century Ugandan male writers