MUGABE R
Harriet Agaba Kabangira, 44 years old, a widow and mother of three, is appealing for generous assistance from the government and well-wishers.
Harriet, a resident of Katungu Cell, Nyakabungo Parish, Buyanja Sub County in Rukungiri District, is the widow of the late Samuel Arinaitwe, a former UPDF soldier who passed away in 2020. In November 2023, Harriet suffered an injury from a nail in her right foot.
The wound failed to heal, leading to the amputation of her toes. In April 2024, she developed further complications in her left foot and was admitted to Kisiizi Church of Uganda Hospital, where she was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, the condition worsened, resulting in the amputation of her toes, foot, and part of her leg.
Harriet explained that she had to take out loans to clear her hospital bills. She also faces ongoing expenses for diabetes treatment, costing her UGX 60,000 per month. With no source of income, she is unable to walk due to her remaining leg being in poor condition. Her firstborn child has gone missing, and her two other children are still in school. Harriet is currently being cared for by a well-wisher, but the caregiver’s family pressures them to withdraw their support. She is pleading for a wheelchair donation from the government, members of parliament, religious leaders, and well-wishers to help her with mobility, as well as additional support for her medical and welfare needs.
John William Kabangira, Harriet’s father, expressed shock at the cancer diagnosis in their family and urged for support, as Harriet can neither walk nor work.
Sylvia Turinawe, the Woman Councilor representing Nyakabungo and Kasheshe Parishes, appealed to the government to provide Harriet with a wheelchair to ease the burden on caregivers.
David Tukarugayo, the Area Parish Councilor and Speaker of Buyanja Sub-county voiced his concern over Harriet’s ongoing pain, high medical expenses, and her disability. He called on both the government and well-wishers to come forward and offer support.
