Budaka registers drop in Sickle cell disease cases

Patients at Budaka Health Centre IV on January 19, 2025. Health workers in the eastern district of Budaka in Bukedi Sub-re-
gion have registered a decline in cases of sickle cell disease. PHOTO/MUDANGHA KOLYANGA
What you need to know:
- Statistics from the district health department indicate that in 2023, suspected cases of sickle cells stood at 1,456 and in 2024, the registered cases were 914.
Health workers in the eastern district of Budaka in Bukedi Sub-region have registered a decline in cases of sickle cell disease that had deeply affected families and communities in the district.
The disease, which is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to misshapen and break down, has been
wreaking havoc in the district known for its farming communities, and tight-knit family structures.
Statistics from the district health department indicate that in 2023, suspected cases of sickle cell disease stood at 1,456 and in 2024, the registered cases were 914.
The health facilities that registered high cases include Budaka Health Centre IV with 1,282 cases in 2023, and 836 cases in 2024; Mugiti Health Centre III with 27 cases in 2023 and 17 in 2024. Kebula Health Centre III recorded 47 cases in 2023 and 26 in 2024, while Butove Health Centre III recorded 18 in 2023 and 15 in 2024.
Children, particularly those under the age of five, are among the most affected. Dr Winnie Mutaki, the officer-in- charge of Budaka Health Centre IV, said they decided to open up a sickle cell clinic to handle the cases.
“We do the screening, and samples are taken to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for testing. Those who show signs of sickle cells are put on treatment. We have nurses to manage all the cases. The demand for blood, in particular, is
a huge challenge. We often have to re- fer patients to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital,” Dr Mutaki said.
The sickle cell cases are attributed to lack of genetic awareness and counselling. Sickle cell is inherited in an autosomal
recessive pattern, meaning a child has a 25 percent chance of inheriting the disease if both parents carry the sickle cell trait.
However, many people in rural areas are unaware of their carrier status before marriage or pregnancy.
Health experts have stepped up efforts to raise awareness about the importance of genetic screening and
counselling.
The Uganda Sickle Cell Rescue Foundation, together with the health ministry, have occasionally mounted cam-
paigns, used community meetings, Radio talk shows, and school outreaches to educate the public about the genetic
nature of the disease.
Dr Mutaki said many parents do not understand the importance of testing for sickle cell before marriage so as to
reduce the chances of bearing children with the disease.
“There is a lot to be done to create awareness among the communities but because people only think about
HIV/Aids, the burden of sickle cell remains a big challenge,” she said.
In many communities, sickle cell disease is still viewed as a curse or punishment, which can lead to isolation and discrimination.
Mr Ali Bunyolo Ali, an assistant nursing officer at Budaka Health Centre IV, said silence among the affected families makes it harder to reach out for help or seek treatment.
“Genetic counselling, early diagnosis, and proper treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell,” he said.
Ms Mary Nabwire, a mother of three, cannot hide her anguish watching her two-year-old child struggling with the
debilitating effects of sickle cell disease.
“It is heartbreaking. I had never thought this would happen to us. I wish I had known more before I had my children,” she said.
Nabwire’s experience is not unique. Across Budaka, there are many families like hers, caught in a vicious cycle of
suffering, inadequate treatment, and financial strain.