JUNE 29, 2024 —

From Ellen Galloway, RISE Board of Directors: 

Last week, Daniel, our colleague at Beyond the Scars Initiative in Kampala, let us know that survivor and friend Lauben Katami had passed away. Lauben was attacked with acid and severely burned at the end of October 2023 by his own brother when the family had issues about inherited land. BTSI and RISE were connected with him right after he was attacked. When BTSI colleagues Julie and Daniel visited him in the hospital he was touched and encouraged by a visit by fellow survivors who were living productive and joyful lives. Julie and Daniel visited him several times and also provided support for his sisters, who were his advocates during this difficult time. They also appreciated the support of BTSI/RISE donors, saying that they “became strong” knowing that so many people cared about them and Lauben.

Lauben’s recovery was challenging, with many complications and setbacks. We don’t have full information, but we know that he had some pre-existing health issues and at this time don’t know whether he died as a direct result of the attack or from another health problem. We may never know the full story, but what we do know is that being attacked probably contributed to his passing even if it wasn’t the sole cause.

At BTSI’s situational analysis launch and stakeholders meeting in April, friends and colleagues observed that Lauben didn’t look well. Daniel asked how BTSI could help him, but he declined help. Last Tuesday, his son contacted Daniel to let him know that Lauben’s situation was “alarming,” as he had stopped eating and speaking. That day, RISE sent him money to enable him to go to the hospital; he declined to go and died the following day.

A subsistence farmer, Lauben was 44 years old and the leader of his clan. He leaves a wife and four children. His funeral was held on 22 June. At this point, his family is devastated and also in fear that the brother and the friend who attacked Lauben will harm them too.

We will miss our friend Lauben, who struggled fiercely to survive a brutal attack. May he rest in peace.

Please leave the family a message of support in the comments section.  Daniel will ensure they receive these messages.

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JANUARY 9, 2024 —

Earlier today, Daniel visited Lauben in his home village.  Lauben has been released from the hospital but is going for regular check-ins related to his acid burns.  Doctors are concerned about his liver and kidney function. Lauben was treated for liver issues before he was attacked but recovering from an acid attack has further compromised his organs.

Lauben was attacked by his brother over land ownership issues.  Our research shows that cases like these (family disputes over land ownership) make up approximately 11% of acid attacks in Uganda.

When Daniel visited with Lauben and his family, he learned that, “About the case, everything has stalled since the attackers had run away.  The police are still doing investigations.”  Daniel also spoke to Lauben’s family members about what a law against acid attacks in Uganda would mean to them.  According to Daniel, “Even though it is the brother to Lauben that committed this act, Lauben’s family is willing to put his brother and his accomplice in jail for the rest of his life.  Unfortunately, it might not be possible since our laws are vague.  They want a strong law to curb this.  They want such people to serve long sentences to give an example to others who would wish to do the same.”

Please leave Lauben and his family a message of support below.

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DECEMBER 26, 2023 —

“Lauben was released temporarily from the hospital and he is at home right now, though he has got some complications in his stomach.  But I was told that the doctor has attended to him and even dressed him.  He will be back in the hospital on the 28th of this month.”  Daniel explained to us that patients are often released from the hospital over the holidays due to reduced staffing levels.  We will update you as Lauben comes back to the hospital for further treatment.

WATCH THE VIDEO FROM DANIEL & LAUBEN HERE:

 

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NOVEMBER 20, 2023 —

Last week, Lauben received surgery to remove the dead skin on his chest.  Daniel received updates from Lauben’s sisters which said, “Lauben’s surgery was successful even if he took long to wake up and he lost a lot of blood which lead him to receive two bottles of blood. After waking up he struggled a bit but he will be ok.”  Daniel told us yesterday that, “Lauben had lost his memory a bit, he was delirious, but he has restored it. He is still in pain but they are giving him medications. Though the medications goes through his penis because that’s the only place left with well veins. The cost of staying in the hospital has gone wild because of different medications his sisters are being ordered to buy.”  Daniel told us that Lauben’s sisters are very grateful for the donations provided by RISE.  Otherwise, they would not be able to afford his treatment.  At this time, they do not need more money because we raised well over our goal of $300 but we will let you know, as it looks like Lauben will be in the hospital for several months.

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NOVEMBER 11, 2023 —

From Daniel: “Some updates from Lauben, yesterday and today, the heat has been too much in his body.  On top of that, when the rotten skin got off from his ear, it was stuck with one of the blood vessels.  It left the vessel exposed and he has lost a lot of blood which lead him to collapse.  Unfortunately, during that time, doctors have bene in their meeting which has brought a lot of panic to Lauben’s sisters.  They called me in despair but eventually doctors arrived and calmed the situation.  Right now, he is a bit ok after receiving some treatment.  Continue praying for him.”

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NOVEMBER 5, 2023 —

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to support Lauben’s treatment.  Daniel and Julie spent the day with Lauben and his family at the hospital yesterday.  They gave the money you donated to Lauben’s sister, who will be staying with Lauben in the hospital as Daniel and Julie traveled back to Kampala.  Lauben’s sister owns a smart phone and has promised to send us regular updates on Lauben’s condition..

Saturday was a difficult day for Lauben.  According to Daniel, “He is so agitated and the pain seems to be unbearable.  The doctors told us to buy haloperidol injections to calm his head down.”  (Daniel updated us today to let us know that Lauben has been sleeping since they injected him with the haloperidol.)

Daniel also told us, “Thank you all for what you’ve done to help Lauben.  His sisters, however much they are worried, they have become strong knowing that there are thousands of people thinking about them.”

Hear more from Lauben’s sister.

See below for a video from Daniel explaining the next steps for Lauben’s treatment:

 

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 —

Julie and Daniel traveled to Mbale today to visit Lauben in the hospital.  (According to Daniel, “The first information we got about his name wasn’t correct.  He is called Lauben Katami.”)

Thanks to your donations, Julie and Daniel purchased some medications for Lauben.  Daniel said, “He was severely burnt.  Doctors have already told him that it is going to take four to six months before he will go home.  Truly, it is going to be so hard for his family to cope financially because it’s going to be a long process.  Every day, there are certain types of medications to buy.”  Daniel confirmed with Lauben that it was Lauben’s younger brother and his friend who attacked Lauben with acid.

 

Daniel told us, “Lauben is a married man with four kids. Lauben owns his small land and he is a peasant farmer while doing small business at that area.  The problem came when his mother passed away a few months ago.  She gave her properties to Lauben’s son, who is 16 years old.  Lauben’s brothers didn’t like it and they started to misbehave.  Lauben tried to sit with them to solve the matter but all attempts were rejected by those brothers until they have done this (acid attack) to him.  Lauben told me that he was telling his brothers there is another land which they could all share but they wouldn’t listen!”

According to Daniel, “Lauben’s sisters are heart broken but they are not so surprised because they have been seeing their young brothers’ behaviors.  Though it’s paining them that it was done by their brothers!  All family members are supporting Lauben and they are very upset about what the younger brother did. They will hand him to authorities once he is found.  And they will testify against him in the court of law.

Read the news article here.

 

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NOVEMBER 1, 2023 —

Daniel contacted us yesterday to let us know that he received calls “from two separate families of people who were recently attacked with acid.  One is from Manafa and another one is Namutumba district.  They heard us from radio stations during our data collection thinking that we could help.  Right now, one is in Mbale Hospital and another one in Iganga Hospital.”  Thus far, Daniel has been able to talk at more length with the family of Francis Katami, a 46 year old man.  Daniel said, “He was attacked on Saturday evening at his home in Namisindwa District by someone he didn’t know.  Right now, he is in Mbale Main Hospital where he was rushed to get treatment.  It’s said that he was affected so much.  They need help in terms of treatment in hospital and the police is still investigating the matter.”  Daniel then went on to tell us, “They need medications and food… Food is not provided at the hospitals and he needs some medical supplies like a cream for rotten skin removal, to clear all the affected skin.  These are normally being bought from pharmacies.”

Daniel and Julie are planning to visit Francis and his family in the hospital in Mbale.  We will keep you updated as we learn more.  Please donate to support Francis’s treatment in the hospital.  At this time, we would like to raise $300 to cover the costs of Francis’ immediate needs.  (The medical treatment is provided free of charge, but medications and food are not covered by the hospital.)

 

LEAVE A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR FRANCIS HERE