A shocking audio recording has emerged in which Rowena Musinguzi, daughter of the late city businessman Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, appears to accuse her mother, Peace Kesiime Bagorogoza, of blocking efforts to have her father medically evacuated to the United Kingdom for specialized treatment.
In the audio obtained by this publication, Rowena is heard explaining that as Garuga’s wife and next of kin, Peace Kesiime had the final authority over decisions regarding his medical evacuation, leaving other family members unable to intervene.
“Even if I wanted to evacuate him, I don’t have that power. His next of kin is his wife. Negotiate with her in good faith and explain the pros and cons. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Rowena says in the recording.
She adds, “Do you think Dr. Mbonye can release Daddy to me and ignore Mum? I cannot supersede his wife’s wishes.”
According to claims now emerging from the family dispute, the late Dr. Garuga had already secured a five-month medical visa to the United Kingdom and was expected to receive treatment at Cromwell Hospital in London.
It is further alleged that specialists at the Royal Marsden Hospital were prepared to receive him, while Medical Air Service, an international medical evacuation provider, was reportedly on standby to transport him on a 12-hour medical flight for advanced treatment related to diabetes and pneumonia complications.
However, family members claim that the planned transfer to London never materialized. Instead, Garuga’s passport was allegedly submitted for a separate visa process for Turkey, a move that reportedly delayed his departure for urgent treatment abroad.
As his health deteriorated, attention shifted to treatment within Uganda. According to court documents filed by his son, Alwyn Musinguzi Garuga, doctors later recommended a hip replacement procedure despite Garuga’s ongoing battle with diabetes and other serious health complications.
Alwyn alleges that the surgery was conducted before his father’s condition had stabilized, exposing him to further medical risks at a time when his health was already fragile.
The court filings also raise concerns about aspects of Garuga’s medical care during his hospitalization.
Among the allegations is a claim that food administered through a feeding tube entered his lungs, a development family members argue worsened his condition during a critical stage of treatment.
Following the surgery, Garuga’s health reportedly declined further and he was later diagnosed with cancer. He was subsequently transferred from Nakasero Hospital to CORSU Hospital, a decision that Alwyn has questioned given the complexity of his father’s medical condition.
In his final days, Garuga reportedly underwent an open-chest surgical procedure that ultimately proved unsuccessful. Around the same period, efforts were allegedly being made to secure treatment in Turkey despite the existence of a valid United Kingdom medical visa.
In documents filed before court, Alwyn accuses his mother, Peace Bagorogoza, and his brother, Phillip Musinguzi, of failing to facilitate the overseas treatment he believes could have improved his father’s chances of survival.
“Peace Bagorogoza instead ordered doctors to carry out an open-chest surgery on him that killed him,” Alwyn alleges in his court filings.
The allegations remain the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and have not been tested in court.
Meanwhile, the High Court Family Division has temporarily blocked Peace Kesiime Bagorogoza from obtaining letters of administration over Garuga’s estate and directed that the matter be handled through the Office of the Administrator General pending determination of the dispute.
The succession battle over the late tycoon’s estate continues to unfold amid growing controversy over the circumstances surrounding his final illness, treatment, and death.
