By Delux Emmy Alomu
KATAKWI
Raymond Bernard Opolot, 53, the headteacher of Toroma Secondary school in Katakwi District is seeking financial support after being diagnosed with a left Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm (Brain Aneurysm), a condition doctors say requires specialized surgery in India.
Opolot, who has served in the education sector for years, says the illness began while he was at school, culminating in a sudden collapse that left him unconscious.
He recounted that the ordeal started while travelling from school to Soroti, where he suddenly collapsed in the company of his cousin.
“I had the feeling of pain at the back of my neck, and all of a sudden, I collapsed. I couldn’t recognise anything again,” he said.
Opolot said medically he has not been told to talk too much, in noisy places, not to get excited and not to get angry.
Opolot was first rushed to Joint Clinic then later admitted to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, where he spent about a week. Due to his unstable condition, he was later referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala on November 22, 2025 for specialised care.
According to Opolot, he remained unconscious for nearly a month and only regained awareness after receiving treatment at Mulago’s neuro department.
Doctors reportedly told him that the aneurysm affected the left side of his brain after pressure caused an artery to burst, impacting his coordination and speech.
According to the referral letter written by Dr. Charles Olaro and dated January 22nd, 2026, the director General health services in the health ministry, Opolot needs a digital subtraction Angiography and coiling of the left anterior communicating artery aneurysm in India.
The letter addressed to Dr. Nikhil H. Rahul, Consultant Interventional Radiologist Yashoda Hospital-Hyderabad in India, says Opolot who has immune suppressive syndrome but stable on treatment, presented with acute onset of generalized headache for 10 days, neck pain and reduced level of consciousness for which he was investigated and he was diagnosed with left anterior communicating artery aneurysm.
Dr. Michael Edgar Muhumuza, a senior consultant Neurosurgeon at Mulago Hospital referred Opolot to Yashoda Hospital-Hyderabad India for digital subtraction angiography and coiling of the left anterior communicating artery due to inadequate in-country capacity.
Dr. Muhumuza says Opolot will travel with his spouse as an attendant, over an estimated duration of stay of 15 days and the family is expected to meet the costs associated with his travel, treatment and stay while in India.
Dr. Olaro’s letter copied to the health minister, Permanent secretary health ministry and secretary Uganda Medical Board, highlighted that the Uganda Medical Board has approved his travel to India for this procedure and is to furnish the board with a treatment report upon his return.
According to the expert medical Opinion and cost estimation, Dr. Nikhil from India says Opolot will further require a thorough evaluation including an MRI, Complete Neuro Profile, Surgical Profile and Digital Subtraction Angiography followed by an interventional procedure Coiling + stent. The patient may require a flow diverter-if the aneurysm has a wide neck.
The expert says the surgery alone is estimated at over Shs100 million, excluding travel, accommodation, welfare, and the cost of accompanying caregivers.
Since that time Opolot is still at home in Ogasia cell, Madera Ward in Soroti City trying to mobilise funds for the surgery.
During the catholic communion service held at Opolot’s home including a mini-fundraising on Sunday February 15th, 2026, shs1.2m was collected in cash in addition to the shs6.5m that the headteachers have been contributing during their meetings at this home.
Eliphaz Opolot Ewalu, the headteacher of Ngora High School who is the regional chairperson of the Association of Secondary Schools Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU) Teso Zone pledged for more support from schools.
James Stephen Engole, the chairperson Katakwi headteachers association who is chairperson for resource mobilization said they have so far managed to raise only shs40m but still shs60m is missing for surgery to take place next week because the flight was due on Wednesday 16th February, this year.
Judith Aosan, Opolot’s wife, said that her husband was supposed to be flown to India on 2nd December last year for a brain surgery but up to now they have not got the money needed for the medical bills.
She appealed for more financial support from government and any Good Samaritan to cater for her husband’s medical bills in India.
A neighbour, Thomas Emadu, said the community was deeply disturbed by news of Opolot’s collapse following severe headaches where he described him as a key community figure whose experience and leadership in education are critical, especially in nurturing children in the area.
Emadu has also appealed to Opolot’s former students and alumni from schools where he has served, urging them to contribute towards saving his life.
“We really want to appeal to people of goodwill… and the students that Raymond has taught before… we want to ask that you lend a helping hand,” he said.
Opolot hopes to undergo the surgery, return home, continue supporting his family, and resume service to the community.
“Restoration of my life is very important. Whatever small as it can come would be very, very useful,” Opolot appealed.
