Teacher Tukwatsibwe needs Shs51 million for life-changing surgery
Richard Tukwatsibwe's leg. Photo/Courtesy
What you need to know:
- New X-rays revealed the hip had been crushed during the accident, a critical injury missed initially. His pelvic bones had fused abnormally, causing severe pain and difficulty sitting.
On a quiet Sunday morning, June 19, 2022, Richard Tukwatsibwe set off on his motorbike to work, unaware that his life would soon change forever.
A dedicated secondary school teacher and father of five, Tukwatsibwe was approaching Kinoni Trading Centre when a Sino truck began turning onto a feeder road. He stopped to give way, but before he could move on, a larger truck recklessly tried to overtake and struck him.
“It happened in seconds. I only saw the truck when it was already in my face. It knocked me down and left me in the middle of the road. My leg was twisted the wrong way. There was blood everywhere. I kept waving my hand so no other car would run me over,” he recalls.
Boda boda riders rushed to help and took him to Kinoni Health Centre IV, where he received first aid before being referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Overwhelmed by the number of patients, the hospital operated on him only hours later. Fearing he would not survive the trip to Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala, doctors referred him to Ishaka Adventist Hospital.
After blood transfusions and further evaluation, he underwent surgery and stayed in the hospital for a month before continuing treatment at home.
Five months later, his leg’s suspenders were replaced by a plaster cast, which remained for another five months. When he finally began moving again, he felt a deep pain in his hip.
New X-rays revealed the hip had been crushed during the accident, a critical injury missed initially. His pelvic bones had fused abnormally, causing severe pain and difficulty sitting.
Determined to keep teaching, Tukwatsibwe hired private cars for transport, but the costs quickly became unsustainable. He later sought help at CoRSU Hospital in Entebbe, where a CT scan confirmed he needs a total hip replacement, and eventually a knee replacement, to walk without pain.
“I thought it would be a simple operation. But the cost broke me. I need Shs51m for both surgeries. I cannot raise that on a teacher’s salary,” he says.
While he has managed basic needs and medicine through work, his children’s education has suffered. His eldest, a high achiever, had to attend an institute instead of a university. Two children remain in secondary school, and two are in primary.
“I want to walk again, teach without pain, and support my children’s dreams. But I cannot do it alone,” Tukwatsibwe pleads.
He appeals to kind-hearted individuals and organisations to help him raise Shs51m for surgery, a chance to reclaim his life and future.
For any assistance, send your contributions to:
0772695731: Richard Tukwatsibwe
070 178 4374: Richard Tukwatsibwe
9030002347252 : Stanbic Bank, Richard Tukwatsibwe
