On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Dorcus Basheba Kirabo, widely known as Mama D, welcomed her set of twins—a boy and a girl—through a successful C-section. But this joyful occasion was preceded by a terrifying medical emergency that has left the new mother facing an overwhelming hospital bill.
Just days before the delivery, a stranger saw Mama D in a video library and noticed her face, hands, and feet were severely swollen. The stranger urged her to get a check-up. After a few tests at a nearby clinic, she was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia, a condition that was on the verge of causing her kidneys to fail. Alone and in a panic, she rushed home to grab a few things before heading to TMR-Naalya Hospital, where she had been a patient for over a decade.
The Financial Strain
Mama D had saved 3 million shillings for the delivery, a thoughtful plan that was completely upended by the sudden complications. The emergency C-section, her own treatment for pre-eclampsia, and the fact that both babies needed immediate care in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) have caused the bill to soar past 18 million shillings—and it's still growing.
The boy has also been diagnosed with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, a common liver condition that causes a newborn's skin to yellow, which requires additional specialized treatment. This is a difficult situation that any parent can understand, as it's an expense no one could have prepared for.
A Plea for Support
According to her friend, Gideon Nova Kwikiriza, Mama D nearly lost her life. Now, recovering in the hospital, she is overwhelmed with stress. Journalist Gabriel Buule shared her tearful story, revealing the struggle and humiliation of having to ask for help while her babies fight to get healthy.
Fortunately, people on social media have responded to the cause with an outpouring of support.
If you would like to help Mama D and her twins, you can send support to her directly at +256 752 259540 (Kirabo) or through journalist Gabriel Buule at 0700391620.