Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda

Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda

Kangume says she is now more invested in her non-profit—the Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda. She recalls how she met the co-founder, Munyambabazi, just before she left hospital.

“When we met, I told him we really need to do something about the situation of amputees in Uganda. Fortunately, he had harboured the same idea and so things happened.”

At Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda, they believe depression, which often affects amputees, pushes many into alcohol and drug use.

“When I had just left hospital I was drinking a lot because it could help ease the pain of losing a leg,” Kangume recalls.

Kangume says she knows so many people who are still struggling with the new reality of being an amputee.

“I know someone who has not left their bedroom for one and half years,” she says and blames that on the way society reacts to amputees.

“You have people asking you lots of questions,” she says, “It’s a lot of emotional trauma because you are also asking yourself a lot of questions.”

She says some questions are too intrusive: Are you married? Do you have children? Sometimes the hurt comes from within your family and mentions a patient who recently lost his leg and his family; including his own children, suddenly became disrespectful towards him.

“Family is supposed to be supportive but most family members and friends think you are now useless and you are going to be a burden to them yet sometimes all we want is to talk to someone,” she says,   “The best way to help people like us is giving us a listening ear; stand with us through it all because a lot is happening.”

Kangume says the Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda currently supports about 100 people.

“We have a WhatsApp group which now has about 70 people who have smart phones. But I am sure there are many more out there without smart phones. We are still looking for ways of reaching out to them.”

“I particularly want to encourage girls and women to go on with their lives. I tell them that yes, they have lost a body part but they are still beautiful; I tell them that they still have it all and they should be body-positive and confident, and nothing should put them down.”

She believes many others have been inspired to live their lives positively because they have seen members of Self-Help Network-Uganda move around with exposed prosthetic limbs.

She says exposing her prosthetic leg has its pluses.

“It is also an opportunity to tell people that yes, I am an amputee but I am doing all this. I am a baker and I am advocating for different things and I am also a part time lawyer.

“This condition cannot stop me from doing anything I want. I love motorsport and when we entered the motorsport competition last year, people did not think we could drive but we beat so many teams and finished sixth. That should show people that there is nothing we cannot do.”

She says she is particularly surprised at the way employers in the corporate world treat people with disabilities. “People in the corporate world don’t think we can make it or we are as fast as the able-bodied colleagues but we are so intelligent and we have a lot to give the companies out there, only if they could give us a chance.”

In response, the Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda has come out with several projects that are catering for home skilling including bakery skills, art and crafts, electrical works, and woodwork.

“We feel if you can’t get a formal job, it is better you acquire practical skills that you can use and to bring in money, as long as you are creative.”