By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The State Minister for Public Service, also Mbale City Woman MP, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, has today, Friday, 18th September, 2026 officially launched the 10th Annual CURE Brain Surgery Run.
CURE Children’s Hospital, located in Industrial City Division, Mbale City, is set to hold a marathon on 17th October, 2026 to raise a target of 1 billion shillings to support operations for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
The campaign was launched today at Cure Hospital premises.
Hydrocephalus and spina bifida are both neural tube defects. They happen very early in pregnancy, in the first few weeks, when the baby’s brain and spine are forming.
Hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain, is the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. Causes include spina bifida-related complications, which is the most common cause in Uganda. The spinal defect pulls the brain down and blocks CSF flow.
While speaking during the launch, Wanyoto said she will talk to the Ministry of Health to allocate funds annually to support the facility.
Wanyoto urged Ugandans and other agencies to take part in the run so that children from vulnerable families with such complications can be treated.
Tim Erickson, the Executive Director of CURE Children’s Hospital, said that they conduct over 2,000 operations for children from Uganda, Africa, and the Middle East annually.
He said that although they have sponsorships, the money is not enough to cater for all services at the hospital, adding that the marathon will provide additional support.
Abudala Azizi, the Deputy Mayor of Mbale City, said people from the Bugisu region must embrace the marathon and support it because they are privileged to have such a facility in the entire Sub-Saharan region.
He urged them to buy kits and participate in the marathon so that they can raise 1 billion shillings for the facility.
Abudala Defa, the Sironko Town Council NRM Chairperson, pledged 5 million shillings and paid 1 million in cash, urging his fellow leaders in the Bugisu region to emulate him.
