Survivor Stories

A Dry Bed at Last: Nantale’s Story of Healing

Age 24 • Kampala • Childbirth Related Urinary Incontinence

After the birth of her first child, Nantale began leaking urine continuously. What began as a childbirth injury became more than two years of discomfort, embarrassment, and uncertainty. This is good.

She sought help repeatedly, visiting her regional hospital three times, but she was unable to receive the treatment she needed. Later, she learned that surgery could repair her condition, but the cost, roughly $540, was far beyond what her family could afford.

During those years, Nantale became pregnant again. Still living with the injury, she continued caring for her family while wondering whether she would ever receive treatment.

Then she heard about a childbirth injury treatment camp in Mbarara.

Carrying her one month old daughter, she boarded a bus and traveled more than 160 miles across Uganda in search of care.

Within days of surgery, everything changed.

“It has been three days, and I have had a dry bed,” she said. “I am happy. I didn't know I would heal fully.”

Relief After Fifteen Years: Sarah's Story

Age 52 • Isingiro District • Uterine Prolapse

Three weeks after giving birth, Sarah developed uterine prolapse, a childbirth injury that occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the uterus weaken, allowing it to descend outside the body.

For fifteen years, she lived with the condition. What began as discomfort gradually became a daily burden, affecting her confidence, routine activities, and overall quality of life. She often wondered if she would ever find relief.

Like many women living with childbirth injuries, Sarah did not know where to turn. She tried traditional remedies and followed advice from others in her community, but nothing helped.

Over time, she began to lose hope.

Eventually, Sarah learned that surgery could repair the condition she had been living with for so long.

After receiving surgery from Professor Musa Kayondo and his fellowship team, everything changed.

For Sarah, healing meant more than surgery. It meant reclaiming the life she had waited fifteen years to get back.

Today, Sarah is healing and able to enjoy daily life without the pain and discomfort that shaped so much of her adult life.

"After fifteen years of suffering, today I am smiling," she said.

Mary’s Story: Restoring Strength and Hope

Age 20 • Rubindi, Mbarara District • Iatrogenic Fistula

Following the birth of her child by cesarean section, Mary suffered an accidental bladder injury during surgery that left her leaking urine continuously.

For six months, she struggled with the physical and emotional challenges of living with constant incontinence. Everyday activities became difficult, and she worried about what the future might hold.

Mary underwent surgery elsewhere, but her symptoms persisted. Discouraged yet determined, she continued searching for help.

When she learned about a specialized childbirth injury treatment camp led by Associate Professor Musa Kayondo and his surgical team, she finally found the expert care she needed.

After surgery, everything changed.

Today, Mary is recovering well and looking forward to returning to the life she once feared she had lost. For Mary, healing has brought renewed hope, restored confidence, and the opportunity to move forward with her future.

“I am very grateful to everyone involved in delivering these services,” she said. “I will continue encouraging others to come and get help too.”

Dry for the First Time: Ali’s Story

Age 6 • Mbarara District • Congenital Fistula

Since birth, Ali had lived with a congenital urinary condition that caused continuous leakage. From infancy, her mother searched tirelessly for help, visiting clinics and spending what little she could, but no one was able to provide a lasting solution for her daughter.

While other children attended school and enjoyed the freedom of childhood, Ali's daily life was shaped by a condition she could not control. Still, her mother never gave up hope that someone would find an answer.

Eventually, Ali was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where she was evaluated during a specialized surgical camp led by Associate Professor Musa Kayondo and made possible through support from The Musa Project. There, she received expert surgical care from Ugandan specialists trained to treat complex urogenital conditions.

For the first time in her life, Ali is dry.

For Ali and her family, healing has opened the door to a future no longer defined by a treatable condition. She has returned to school with renewed confidence and the freedom to participate fully in childhood.

"She smiles again," her mother said. "Her confidence has been restored."

Nakato’s Story: Healing After Obstetric Fistula

Age 29 • Isingiro District • Obstetric Fistula

Following childbirth, Nakato developed an obstetric fistula, a severe childbirth injury that can cause uncontrollable leakage of urine or stool.

For months, she lived with pain, embarrassment, and isolation. She searched for help, but the surgery she needed was far beyond what she could afford. As time passed, she began to wonder if healing would ever be possible.

When Nakato finally received treatment, everything changed. Today, she is healing and looking toward the future with renewed hope.

The condition that once shaped every part of her daily life no longer defines her. Nakato wants other women living with childbirth injuries to know they do not have to suffer in silence.

“I am truly grateful to the people who thought about women like us,” she said. “I will continue encouraging others to come for treatment.”

Finding Relief After Years of Suffering: Miremba's Story

Age 53 • Kamwenge District • Uterine Prolapse

Miremba's health challenges began during the birth of her first child at home. After delivery, she developed uterine prolapse, a condition that gradually worsened over time.

For years, she continued raising her family while quietly managing the discomfort and uncertainty the condition brought to her daily life.

Eventually, her symptoms became impossible to ignore. Two months before seeking treatment, her uterus prolapsed completely and remained outside her body.

She was in pain, frightened, and unsure where to turn for help.

After finally receiving specialized surgical care, Miremba began the recovery she had waited years to experience.

Today, she is healing well. She can move comfortably again, and the pain that shaped so much of her life is gone.

"After many years of living with this condition, I finally feel relief," she said. "I can move comfortably again, and I have peace."

Healing After Years of Silence: Atim’s Story

Age 30 • Mother of Three • Severe Perineal Tear

Atim's injury began during the birth of her second child, when she suffered a severe obstetric tear that left her unable to control her bowel movements.

Even coughing or sneezing became something she feared.

For years, she lived quietly with the condition. When she became pregnant again, the injury worsened. Sitting became painful, and even the everyday tasks of caring for her children became increasingly difficult.

Doctors eventually told her that surgery could repair the injury, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. She returned home feeling hopeless.

Years later, Atim was referred to a specialized childbirth injury treatment camp led by Associate Professor Musa Kayondo and his surgical team, with support from The Musa Project. There, she finally received the surgery she had needed for so long.

After surgery, everything changed.

Her pain was gone. She could sit comfortably again. For the first time in many years, she felt cared for, respected, and valued.

Today, Atim hopes other women living with childbirth injuries will know that healing is possible and that they do not have to suffer in silence.

“I am returning home with a grateful heart,” she said. “What was done for me has changed my life, and I will never forget it.”

Thirteen Years of Suffering Ends: Acanit's Story

Age 52 • Ntungamo District • Severe Childbirth Tear

After the birth of her last child, Acanit developed a severe childbirth tear that left her suffering for thirteen years.

At first, she returned to the clinic where she had delivered, hoping the problem would improve. Health workers provided pads and medication, but the relief lasted only a few months before her symptoms returned.

Over the years, she sought additional treatment, tried traditional remedies, and followed advice from others in her community, yet nothing brought lasting relief.

Living with the condition became physically and emotionally exhausting. She worried about her health and grew discouraged after years of searching for answers.

At one point, she was even told she might have cancer.

Fear and uncertainty kept her from seeking further care, and she began to wonder whether she would ever recover.

Then she heard a radio announcement about a childbirth injury treatment camp led by Associate Professor Musa Kayondo with support from The Musa Project.

After thirteen years of failed treatments and unanswered questions, she was not sure anyone could help her. Still, she decided to make the journey.

Everything changed after treatment. After more than a decade of suffering, Acanit is looking forward to living without the pain and uncertainty that had defined so many years of her life.

"I waited thirteen years for this help," she said. "Today, I finally have relief."