Dr. Semu Kasirivu Frank Ntulume Nsibirwa

Early Life and Education

Born in 1930 to Katikkiro Martin Luther Nsibirwa, Semu Kasirivu Frank Ntulume Nsibirwa grew up in a household defined by service and faith. He attended King's College Budo for both primary and secondary studies before enrolling at Makerere University Medical School, where he earned a double degree—Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Medical Career and Family

Semu began his professional journey as a medical intern with the Ugandan Government in 1956. During this time, he met nurse Edith Ruth Nyongereza Buluba at Mengo Hospital; the two married in 1957, later serving together at Old Mulago Hospital.

Postgraduate training took Semu to the United Kingdom, upon completion of his studies in Birmingham, UK, where he became a member of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semu returned to Uganda in 1965. On his return he was assigned to work at the Jinja Referral Hospital as a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. His wife Edith returned a few months later the same year. She gave birth to her last born, twin girls after which she worked for the Jinja Municipal Council.

In 1970 Semu was transferred to Mulago Referral Hospital. The family moved to Kampala and Edith became a home maker and small-scale businesswoman.

A Home Defined by Generosity and Open Doors

More commonly referred to by monikors Ssalongo and Nnalongo, Semu and Edith were widely known for their generosity and hospitality. They opened their home to members of the greater Nsibirwa family and family members by marriage.

Regional Impact

Ssalongo Semu went into exile in Nairobi, in 1977 during the notorious Idi Amin regime. The family moved again, to Nairobi, where he continued practising and became a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist with patients travelling long distances for his care, cementing his reputation as one of East Africa's most trusted gynecologists and obstetricians. There he established a thriving private practice and consulted in several hospitals, and trained midwives.

Later years

In 1998 he retired and returned to Uganda. He died in South Africa and is buried at his ancestral home in Namakomo, Kyagwe, Uganda.