LWENGO — Residents of Kiganda Village in Malongo Sub-county, Lwengo District, are appealing for urgent intervention from government authorities and well-wishers after a 74-year-old man was found alive inside his home in critical condition, with severe wounds and tissue damage to his lower body after allegedly being abandoned for an extended period.
The elderly man, identified as Joseph Mukasa, was discovered after neighbours became concerned when they had not seen him for several days.
According to residents, they initially believed Mukasa had been taken to stay with one of his children, as had reportedly happened before.
However, after making inquiries and receiving no information about his whereabouts, members of the community decided to check on him at his home.
Residents said the compound appeared unusually quiet, with overgrown grass surrounding the house. After forcing open the door, they found Mukasa lying helpless inside.
"The smell coming from the house was unbearable. When we checked on him, we found that the lower part of his body had already started rotting, yet he was still alive. It was heartbreaking," said resident Rashida Kalule.
Residents said they had long assumed Mukasa's children were caring for him whenever he disappeared from the village.
"Whenever he wasn't around, we thought his children had taken him to stay with them. We never imagined he had been left in such a condition," Kalule added.
Community members described Mukasa as a hardworking father who made significant sacrifices to educate his children, some of whom they said went on to become medical professionals and engineers.
"He struggled all his life to educate his children. Some became doctors and engineers, but today he has been left to suffer alone. It is painful to witness," one resident said.
The chairperson representing older persons in Malongo Sub-county, Adam Kalanzi, said he telephoned one of Mukasa's children and falsely reported that his father had died in an attempt to secure an immediate response.
According to Kalanzi, the response he received reflected what he described as a disturbing lack of concern for the elderly man's welfare.
"Children should care for their parents just as their parents cared for them while raising them. No elderly person deserves to be abandoned in this manner," Kalanzi said.
Some residents expressed anger over the incident, saying they would oppose any attempt by relatives they believe neglected Mukasa to claim his body or inherit his property if he dies.
They also alleged that some of Mukasa's children had already sold much of his property and were waiting to dispose of the remaining family land. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
Residents appealed to the Lwengo District leadership, the ministry responsible for older persons, humanitarian organisations and other well-wishers to urgently provide Mukasa with medical treatment, food and long-term care.
By the time of filing this report, Mukasa was still alive but in critical condition as residents worked to secure emergency medical assistance.
