John William Kibukamusoke

John William Kibukamusoke was a Ugandan medical doctor, an academic, and a personal physician to former Ugandan president Idi Amin (during his early rule), and the first appointed Ugandan High Commissioner to Australia. He was appointed a physician to Pope Paul VI during the Pope's pilgrimage to Uganda in 1970.

Background and education

Kibukamusoke was born in Uganda on 11 July 1932. He obtained his medical degree, an MB ChB, from Makerere University's external medical degree program in London in 1954. This qualification was later converted to an MBBS (Makerere) in 1964.

He fled Uganda, in 1973, due to Amin's dictatorship to live a "quiet life" with his family. He accepted an ambassadorship to Australia in 1980. He played a key role in establishing Uganda's high commission in Australia and normalizing diplomatic relations between the two nations. Upon completion of his diplomatic term, he remained in Australia – although he continued his scholarly work globally up to the time of his death. He also served as a personal doctor to Pope Paul VI – during his visit to Uganda in 1970.

He was also elected as the Chairman of the East African Medical & Agricultural Research Council (1963–1973).

Awards The Ugandan Independence Medal for his service to the pope.

Other considerations During his retirement, he penned a romantic novel titled "Venus and Leartra".

Death He died in Sydney of heart failure on 13 August 2009. His remains were transported back to Uganda for burial.