Hospital authorities at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital are seeking assistance for a 28-year-old mother who was reportedly abandoned by her husband after he learned she was expecting triplets.
Obvious Atuhaire, a resident of Kagando Cell in Nyakayojo Division, Mbarara City, delivered the triplets prematurely at 35 weeks on February 3.
The babies—two girls and one boy—are currently admitted to the hospital’s neonatal unit due to complications associated with premature birth.
According to the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Halson Kagure, Atuhaire’s husband, Moses Tukwatanise, allegedly deserted the family in September last year, when she was four months pregnant.
“Her husband reportedly left after an antenatal check-up confirmed that she was expecting triplets,” Kagure said.
The hospital is reportedly struggling to meet the mother’s needs, as she has no support system to care for herself or her newborns.
“The babies are still in the neonatal unit because they were born prematurely and are experiencing respiratory distress. The mother is alone here without any support from the father or relatives,” Kagure explained.
Atuhaire, who works as a peasant farmer and rents a single room in Nyakayojo, said the situation has left her helpless.
“I had saved about one hundred thousand shillings, but I have already spent it on food and caffeine medication that doctors recommended for the babies. Right now I do not know how I will manage,” she said.
She added that despite several attempts to contact her husband, he has not returned to check on her or the newborns.
“My husband works as a builder, but since he left, he has never come back to see me or the babies. I am worried about how we will survive after leaving the hospital,” Atuhaire said.
Hospital authorities are now appealing to well-wishers and relevant organizations to provide support to the mother and her premature triplets as they continue receiving care in the neonatal unit.
