Mukono District Headquarters was filled with excitement as Sarafina Sickle Cell Association, in partnership with Sickle Forward and MTS, donated vital medical equipment to enhance the fight against Sickle Cell disease. The equipment will facilitate newborn screening and early detection, allowing timely intervention for affected children.
The handover ceremony took place at the Chief Administrative Officer’s Boardroom in Mukono District, marking a significant step towards reducing the burden of Sickle Cell in Uganda. The engagement was chaired by Mr. Daniel Kamara, the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, representing the CAO Ms. Elizabeth Namanda, who thanked the partners especially Sarafina Sickle Cell Society—for their continuous support. She noted that this initiative aims to screen babies from birth, preventing complications and enabling treatment before symptoms become severe.
Speaking during the event, Mukono Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajjati Fatuma Nabitaka Ndisaba applauded the partners for their support and called for intensified public sensitization about Sickle Cell. She urged couples to undergo screening before marriage just as HIV testing is encouraged and emphasized the importance of obtaining certificates indicating Sickle Cell status.
“We must normalize screening before marriage to prevent passing this condition to future generations. Parents should also ensure that babies are tested immediately after birth,” Ndisaba said.
The RDC further appealed to community leaders, religious institutions, and organizations to amplify awareness messages through all platforms, including community gatherings and places of worship.
Dr. Kasirye Geoffrey, the Medical Superintendent at Mukono General Hospital, highlighted the challenges faced in managing Sickle Cell patients. The hospital currently cares for over 800 patients with Sickle Cell, yet resources remain limited, and many children are not screened due to lack of capacity.
Isaac Kabonga, an Infrastructure Engineer and representative of Sarafina Sickle Cell Society (operating both in the USA and Uganda), noted that Mukono joins three other regions in Uganda that have implemented newborn screening programs.
“If we identify a child with Sickle Cell early, we can start treatment with drugs like Hydroxyurea and provide continuous care until they reach five years and beyond,” Kabonga explained.
He stressed the need for every Ugandan to know their Sickle Cell status before entering a serious relationship or marriage, describing it as a national responsibility to protect future generations.
The donated equipment and medicines will enable screening and pain management for children, reducing the need for patients to travel to Kampala for services. Partners will also work closely with health facilities from Health Centre III level up to hospitals to expand access to care.
Kabonga revealed that Uganda is exploring gene therapy innovations aimed at completely curing Sickle Cell in the future. While such advanced technology is not yet available locally, he expressed optimism that ongoing research and current interventions such as tracking systems, medicines, and early screening will significantly reduce mortality and complications.
Sickle Cell remains a major public health challenge in Uganda and across Africa. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 7–8% of babies born with Sickle Cell in sub-Saharan Africa die before the age of five due to lack of treatment and care. Misconceptions also persist in some communities, where the disease is wrongly attributed to curses or poor behavior, rather than genetics.
The donation of screening equipment and medicines to Mukono District marks a transformative step in combating Sickle Cell disease. By prioritizing early detection, promoting public education, and encouraging pre-marital testing, the district and its partners aim to save countless lives. With sustained efforts and future advancements like gene therapy on the horizon, the fight against Sickle Cell can shift from managing symptoms to eliminating the disease for good.
