
Mpox survivors Arafat Kimbowa, Stephen Yawe and Robinah Nakajjuba.
The patients share experiences of financial strain, social isolation, and inadequate healthcare, urging doctors to show empathy and the government to give better support and treatment.
The spread of monkeypox disease, also known as Mpox, has been rampant across the country, especially among sex workers, in the hotspot areas. Ordinary survivors share how they acquired and treated the viral disease that presents with rash and other symptoms that include flu-like illnesses, fever, headache, and malaise.
Arafat Kimbowa, a mechanic at Natete, Kampala
I got an abrupt fever with a throbbing headache at the garage on Christmas Eve. So, I went to a nearby clinic at Nateete in Kampala, where they gave me malaria tablets. But the fever intensified after two days, so I went back to hospital and was placed on a drip of quinine, another anti-malarial treatment. I got some relief but soon developed more bumps on my body.
The doctor then recommended more medicine, but my condition worsened. The following day, on TikTok, I saw some people in a quarantine at the Uganda Virus Institute (UVI), Entebbe, with similar symptoms. I took a bold step and travelled to the quarantine at UVI. But I was directed back to Kawaala and Kisenyi, both government-run hospitals. I took blood tests and was given some medicine as I waited for the result, which returned positive for Mpox. The doctors then advised me to be isolated, but they also noticed I had registered some improvement.
But at Kisenyi, I found the hospital locked and had to fork out Shs50,000 to induce a medic who had travelled for the festive season to return and treat me. We urge our doctors to take this disease seriously and show empathy toward patients. Mpox infections can cause intense itching, particularly in sensitive areas like my private parts, which were severely affected. My wife also contracted the infection, leaving me emotionally shattered as my colleagues distanced themselves from me. Even after I was healed, they still shunned me. In all, I have spent more than Shs300,000 in treating this viral disease.
Robinah Nakabojja, housewife
At first, I thought they were normal rashes in my private parts. But the rashes became bigger and sore, bursting into puss. They became more painful with a burning sensation. After three days, I developed a pulsating headache and went to a nearby clinic, where I was given panadol extra to ease the pain. But the pain was relentless. I suffered rounds of chills as more bumps appeared and kept growing. This forced me to head to the government-run Kitebi hospital.
The doctors confirmed the symptoms of Mpox disease. They gave me some medicine and I returned home, feeling better. I continued visiting Kawaala before I was taken to UVI in Entebbe, treated well, and was served good food, but not given any medicine. I was then picked up by my relatives as I had improved despite the pain in my private parts. I spent more than Shs400,000 to treat the Mpox disease. This adversely affected and put on hold all my plans. I advise all those affected by Mpox to seek treatment and take their medicine promptly as prescribed by the doctors and to have hope that they will recover.
Stephen Yawe, a taxi driver at Arua Park, Kampala.
Just before Christmas on December 20, 2024, I developed bumps and severe headache. My friends at the taxi stage isolated me and told me to go to the hospital. I first thought I had contracted syphilis because my private parts had swellings. But I knew l hadn’t had sex within the period. I then suspected I could have contracted the disease through money from passengers, or through handshakes. I also thought I had gonorrhea and visited nearby pharmacies that charged me Shs400,000 for treatment. The swellings that started as small bumps grew bigger and I opted for Lubaga hospital. I took blood samples and was referred to government-run Kawaala hospital, which referred me to UVI. But the calamine skin-treatment lotion that cost only Shs5,000 at Kawaala was a whopping Shs15,000 in Entebbe. This really drained me. Mpox disease has affected most of our friends, especially the ladies.
The disease presents with severe itches around the groin. I was dropped off by an ambulance at Entebbe and placed in quarantine. They provide meals but no medicine. Even when one has cash, no one wants to hold it because of fear of the viral Mpox disease. One has to have money on a mobile phone account, or have relatives pick up medicine from pharmacies.
Treating Mpox has cost me more than Shs1m, yet I have also lost my job. Because of the severe itching, I tie a handkerchief around my private parts. Even worse, the doctors said once healed, they would cut off my affected parts and I will have to use pipes to answer nature’s call.
Currently, I stay in a lodge as family members fear I will spread the disease to them. I urge the health ministry to spread awareness about Mpox disease and provide adequate medicines so that we don’t lose more people.