By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Shock hit Mbale City on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026 following the death of an expectant mother and her baby after she sought services from a traditional birth attendant during delivery.
The deceased has been identified only as Nambozo, a resident of Bwana Cell, Bwana Ward, in Namabasa, Northern City Division, Mbale City.
According to Sam Masayi, the Village Health Team member (VHT) for Bwana Cell, Nambozo did not attend antenatal care at any health center throughout her pregnancy. Instead, she sought services from a traditional birth attendant in Ikiki, Budaka District.
He said that on Monday, when she went into labor, she rushed to the same traditional birth attendant. On arrival, the attendant failed to handle the delivery professionally, and the baby died in the womb.
After seeing that she was in critical condition, she referred her to Namatala Health Centre IV, but it was too late. When doctors at Namatala also found her in critical condition, they referred her to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, where she died during an operation.
Irene Kituyi, the Mbale City Assistant Health Officer in charge of maternal health, condemned the incident. She said they have on many occasions sensitized mothers to attend antenatal services at government health facilities.
She added that they have also talked to all traditional birth attendants to always refer mothers to government facilities when the time for delivery arrives.
