By Ben Musanje
Doctors have revealed that sudden heart failure, medically known as cardiac arrest, may have caused the death of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Armored Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Deus Sande.
Maj. Gen. Sande died in the early hours of Wednesday morning after developing sudden breathing complications while travelling to Kampala. According to UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi, Sande passed away at around 3:45 a.m. in Mpigi District while on his way to attend the funeral service of fellow senior officer, Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, at All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero.
Magezi stated that Sande developed breathing complications during the journey and that efforts to resuscitate him at a health facility in Mpigi were unsuccessful.
In an interview with Salt Television’s Robert Mutebi, Dr. Emmanuel Kisame of Dr. Emma Medical Consult in Nansana explained that many sudden deaths occur as a result of cardiac arrest. He said that in many cases, a person may appear fine but suddenly collapse and die within minutes.
Dr. Kisame explained that cardiac arrest happens when the electrical system that controls the heart stops functioning properly. He noted that the heart depends on electrical signals that move through special bundles, which act like wires. When these signals are blocked or disrupted, the heart stops pumping blood.
He further explained that when the heart stops functioning, a person may experience chest pain and difficulty in breathing because blood no longer reaches the brain and other vital organs. He added that if no action is taken within about five minutes, the person can die.
However, Dr. Kisame emphasized that cardiac arrest victims can be saved if Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), also known as heart and lung resuscitation, is performed quickly and correctly. He said CPR helps restore oxygen flow and may restart the heart, allowing the person to recover.
The doctor also expressed concern that very few Ugandans know how to perform CPR. He estimated that only about one in 100 people in Uganda have the knowledge and skills to carry it out. He urged medical professionals and authorities to introduce CPR training in schools so that children can grow up equipped with life-saving skills.
Maj. Gen. Sande had been serving as commander of the UPDF Armoured Division based in Kasijjagirwa, Masaka District, one of the military’s key formations responsible for mechanised operations.
His death followed the passing of Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, whom he had been travelling to honour, marking a difficult and emotional period for the UPDF’s senior leadership.
Like it was on Maj Gen Takirwa who was replaced in less 12 hours by Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has appointed Maj Gen Sande’s replacement in less than 30 hours. CDF Gen Muhoozi appointed Brig Gen. Jackson Pande Kajuba as Commander of the UPDF Armoured Division in Masaka. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
