Habitat for Humanity Uganda pledges to build a house for the separed cojoined twins from Mulago Hospital
Habitat for Humanity Uganda(HFHU) on June 15, 2022, pledged to build a house for the parents of the separated conjoined twins from Mulago hospital. The twins were separated on February 15, 2022, by a medical team from the Mulago National Specialised referral hospital led by Dr.John Sekabira, a pediatric surgeon at the hospital. However, since then the family has been stuck at the hospital as the doctor’s assessment of their current home showed that it was not fit for separated twins that shared both the liver and heart.
According to Dr Sekabira sending the family back to a house not fit for human habitation was risky.
“Some time back we separated conjoined twins from Kole District and one of them immediately died of malaria once they were back home. We learnt the lessons the hard way. We now involve social workers to assess the environment and devise means as necessary,” he said.
Dr Nasser Kakembo, also one of the pediatric surgeons who worked on the twins noted that they had been with the twins and their parents since December 2022 when they were first admitted.
Habitat Uganda is celebrating 40 years with 40 new homes for vulnerable families
As Habitat for Humanity Uganda celebrates its 40th anniversary, one of the top priorities is to build 40 more homes for vulnerable families in Uganda and since this family fitted Habitat’s category of partner families, the leading housing organisation will build a house for the family.
According to Robert Otim, National Director at HFHU, after consultations with the family, the doctors at Mulago and the grandparents of the twins, HFHU has decided to build a decent house for the family.
“We have been operating in Uganda for 40 years and we would like to mark this milestone starting with supporting this couple and their children.”We are appealing to all organisations and individuals to support us to build at least 40 houses this year in Uganda for vulnerable people.”
A Habitat rural model house costs an average of 25M UGX and the urban model is approximately 35M UGX and in all incidences, the partner family must be in possession of the land. The parents of the twins said they have donated a small piece of land measuring 64 by 40 in Hoima where Habitat for Humanity Uganda will build the house.
23 year old Hellen Kugonza who is the mother of the twins expressed gratitude to HFHU.
I am very grateful for this support which will enable us to raise our daughters in a clean and safe environment. We appeal to everyone to support Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to continue providing decent housing to those in need,” said Hellen Kugonza.
