Kampala. In the heat of combat zones, between the echo of gunfire and cries for help, one Ugandan doctor found his mission not just to save lives but to document them.
Cutting Through Hell, a new memoir by Brigadier General Dr. James Kiyengo, lifts the veil on Uganda’s long and costly involvement in Somalia through the eyes of a military surgeon who spent over a decade treating wounded soldiers, civilians, and fellow peacekeepers.
The book is scheduled to be launched on 24 July 2024 at Fairway Hotel in Kampala.
The guest of honor will be General Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport.
This memoir presents a deeply personal and often intense account of life behind the scenes of the African Union Mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM.
Speaking recently from Aarola Hotel in Nakifuma Town Council, Mukono District, the 55-year-old UPDF doctor shared memories from his 11-year deployment in Somalia.
Assigned to treat Ugandan soldiers, he ended up caring for people from many backgrounds, including Somali civilians and peacekeepers from Kenya, Ethiopia, and other contributing countries.
“My primary role was to save Ugandans, but I had to serve beyond that. Sometimes there would be five Ugandans injured beside ten Somali soldiers and many civilians. As one of the few surgeons available, I had to step in,” he said.
Dr. Kiyengo was born in Seeta, Goma Division of Mukono Municipality.
He attended Uganda Martyrs Namiryango Junior Boys School, Namiryango College, and later trained as a surgeon at Makerere University.
He joined the army in 1995 and was later trained in military leadership at Kimaka Army College.
His professional journey has taken him from Mulago Hospital to Somalia’s bloodied operating theaters.
His memoir explores many chapters of his life including his path into the army, the day-to-day experiences on the battlefield, and insights into the political and geographical dynamics that shape Somalia’s prolonged crisis.
In one chapter titled Baptism by Fire, he describes a night when their base in Mogadishu was attacked and set ablaze by Al Shabaab militants, forcing him and colleagues to flee on foot, developing severe foot injuries along the way.
He also shares a chilling memory when Somali youth under his care suddenly turned against him and demanded his gun.
“The truth is I had no weapon on me at the time. That moment taught me to always be prepared, and from then on, I carried a pistol with me wherever I went,” he recalled.
Saving Faces and Souls
Between 2016 and 2017, Dr. Kiyengo conducted more than 1,500 cleft lip surgeries in Somalia.
Some of his patients were elderly people in their 80s who had lived with the condition all their lives.
He attributes the high prevalence of cleft lip cases to intermarriage among close relatives, which increases the risk of genetic defects.
He also addressed other health issues in the region, including high rates of fistula and severe malnutrition among both children and adults.
His work extended beyond emergency surgeries. He was instrumental in establishing Hoga Hospital in Mogadishu, transforming it from a temporary tent setup to a permanent health facility. Hoga is a Somali word meaning good luck.
The memoir does not shy away from the psychological toll of war.
In 2014, overwhelmed by the relentless trauma and stress of his duties, Dr. Kiyengo suffered what he described as a complete burnout.
“I was exhausted physically and mentally. I slept for three days straight to recover,” he revealed.
Moments of Light in Darkness
Even amidst chaos, there were brief escapes. Occasionally, the team would gather at nearby beaches or host modest celebrations during public holidays to relieve the emotional burden and maintain morale.
These moments helped them cope with the grim reality surrounding them.
Reflecting on the 2010 terrorist attacks in Uganda that killed 80 people, Dr. Kiyengo said such tragedies are a regular occurrence in Somalia.
“For Ugandans, that was a national tragedy. But in Somalia, events of similar magnitude are part of daily life,” he said.
A Book for All Ugandans
Dr. Kiyengo says Cutting Through Hell is more than a personal memoir.
It is a guide for future military medics, a resource for health workers in war zones, and an educational tool for Ugandans to understand what peacekeeping truly involves.
He believes researchers, historians, and policy makers will find value in the stories and data presented throughout the book.
The book will be available in major bookshops including Aristoc and Uganda Bookshop, as well as through online ordering platforms.
Brigadier General Dr. James Kiyengo’s journey from Seeta to Somalia is a story of service, sacrifice, and resilience.
With this book, he hopes to give a voice to the countless unsung heroes who work in silence to keep peace alive in the world’s most dangerous places.
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