 Aisha’s medical treatment included wound dressing, three operations for burns, contracture release and physiotherapy. She was treated by a team of pediatricians led by Dr Andrew Hodges of Katalemwa Cheshire Home while the operations were carried out at Mengo Hospital, Kampala and as a result, her badly scarred arms that were attached to the armpits and could hardly move, can now do so freely.
What awaits Aisha Nabukeera in the US:
It should be noted that Aisha was offered free treatment (skin grafting) at Shriner’s hospital for Children in Texas, USA. The offer stands until Nabukeera reaches the age of 18, which means she’s left with three years to the expiry of the offer made to her. So why therefore do we need to the sh66million?
Although all the medical bills have been paid, Shriner’s Hospital has made it clear that they will not be responsible for any other costs required, like travel and stay while in the USA. The sh66million is intended to cover travel, housing and feeding for three (Aisha, her mother and an attendant) for the duration of a year.
Challenges:
On 18th February 2007, Laban Jemba- CEO Informania Ltd and Alice Katiiti of I-Travel Ltd organized a fundraising drive for Aisha on the same day her website was being launched at Cineplex Garden City. The understanding was that the funds raised from the purchase of tickets for the movie ‘Last King of Scotland’ would go to Nabukeera fund.
However, out of 13million collected (as attested to in the press release that was released by the two), they only remitted 1.5million. We reported the matter to the police and the case was registered at the CID headquarters as ref. E/235/2007.
To date, Laban has not only failed to remit the balance but has gone ahead to discredit and dishonour possible support to the Nabukeera fund. Together with Super FM presenter Mulindwa Muwonge, the duo embarked on a smear-hate campaign towards Nabukeera’s guardian- Frank Gashumba.
Why we postponed her medical trip to USA:
False promises for fame
When it came to fundraising for Aisha Nabukeera’s treatment, high profile personalities including respectable business people, made pledges in millions of shillings. Whenever Gashumba spoke on radio or appeared on television or at a public function, many people came up and pledged generously on air or publicly. However, whenever we approached them privately in their offices about fulfilling their commitments, they either gave us the run about or issued bounced cheques. Out of the 66million that was pledged, we only received the US$5000 (sh8million).
NB: A list of those that never honored their pledges can be availed upon request.
What has been achieved?
- We saved Aisha’s precious life
- Aisha was offered free treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospital USA
- She was awarded a scholarship by St Lawrence Schools
- We exposed the hideous crimes against children in our homes
Children have a right to special care and help:
Martin Isagara, head teacher at City Parents School was so moved by Aisha’s condition and what she went through that he bent the school rules and admitted her in P7. City Parents has a strict policy that doesn’t admit new pupils in P7.
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