Habitat for Humanity Uganda, a Non-Governmental Organisation has announced that it will build a house for the stranded parents of conjoined twins who were recently separated at Mulago Hospital .
On February, 15, 2022, a medical team at the Mulago National Specialized Referral Hospital led by Dr. John Sekabira, a pediatric surgeon and the acting deputy Executive Director of Mulago successfully separated the conjoined twins from Hoima.
However, the hospital has since then been stuck with the twins and their parents after the assessment of their home in Hoima failed a safe and clean environment test to raise such children thereby delaying their discharge.
Dr. Sekabira on Wednesday said separating the conjoined twins who shared parts of both the liver and heart among other organs and then sending them to a house not fit for human habitat would be counterproductive.
“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.
On Wednesday, Habitat for Humanity announced that as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations in Uganda, it will come to the help of the couple.
“After consultations with both these parents, the doctors in Mulago and the grandparents of these twins, we have decided to build for them a decent house,” Robert Otim, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Uganda said.
“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.”
He added that as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the NGO plans to build at least 40 houses across the country.
“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 Habit for Uganda rural house costs on average Shs25 million while one in urban centres costing approximately Shs35 million and the beneficiary must be in possession of land where the house is built.
Hellen Kugonza, the 23-year old mother of the twins, Brenda and Gloria, thanked Habitat for Humanity Uganda for this gesture.
“I am very grateful for this support which will enable us 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, the 23-year old mother of the twins Brenda and Gloria.
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.
A two-bedroom house with a living room and sanitation facilities is expected to be complete within two months.
Both parents of the twins have no regular income and meet Habitat for Humanity’s criteria for an affordable house.
Dr Nasser Kakembo, one of the pediatric surgeons who worked on the twins commended NGO for their support.
“We have been with these children and their parents since we couldn’t release them to an unsafe environment. With this house, we believe that these children will be safe.I thank the team at Mulago Hospital which has tirelessly supported this young couple and the children since they were first admitted here in December 2021,” she noted.
Habitat for Humanity Uganda (HFHU) is affiliated to Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and is a leading housing organization impacting nearly 40 million people in 70 countries across the world.
Since the inception of Habitat for Humanity in Uganda in 1982, the organization has built and improved over 40,000 houses through four strategic program interventions.
