Uganda: Five-year-old boy gets life back after penile replacement
He was born a normal child but lost his outer genitalia to a witchdoctor about two years ago. George Mukisa got an artificial penile during a two-week genital reconstruction surgery in Australia, a move that has normalised his urinal excretion.
Left: George Mukisa is able to play after undergoing penile reconstruction in Australia. RIGHT: Mukisa with Pastor Peter Sewakiryanga who was with him during the surgery. PHOTOS BY EPHRAIM KASOZI
However, he cannot use it for urinating but only for identifying him as a man. His urethra was diverted and reconstructed so that he can urinate normally.
The five-year-old infant lost his genitals in October 2009 to ritual sacrifice performed by a witch doctor who lived near his home.
He was rescued by sympathisers who saw him through his surgery and reconstruction.
John Otebati, the witch-doctor who chopped off Mukisa’s genitals has been sentenced to 15 years in jail. However, all was not well for the five-year-old until April when he was flown to Australia to undergo a penile replacement, a surgery and entire treatment that lasted for two and half months.
Mukisa, who was only two-years-old when he was lured with sweets by Otebati, has spent more days in the hospital than at home to enjoy life as an infant.
For three years, Mukisa has been through anguish, has undergone several operations and his chance to interact with age mates was reduced due to the pain resulting from a Urethral Catheter that was inserted into his body.
However, Pastor Peter Sewakiryanga of Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) says Mukisa is now a free boy after undergoing surgery.
“He can control urine normally, run up and down and play without any pain or fear for infection,” he said.
No children
“He will not have children but he will have a better life after the two and half months treatment in Australia. He can do everything independently unlike before like going to the toilet and move freely,” says Pr Sewakiryanga, adding that he can reunite with his parents.
While commending sympathisers and supporters for the work done on Mukisa’s life, Pr Sewakiryanga says a lot is needed to help the infant realise a better life in future.
“When growing up, he will need a lot of support in terms answering questions why and what happened to his life. He would need a lot of counselling and positive people around him to understand him and help him realise a better future,” says the leader of KCM, a child support ministry.
According to Pr Sewakiryanga, at the age of 13, Mukisa will need to undergo genital reconstruction to get a proportionate penis for his body as well as hormonal therapy to help him grow as a man.
“We shall arrange for him to reunite with his family but will ensure he has better health, housing and a good school to build his mind not to think about the shocking environment,” the pastor says.
Pastor Sewakiryanga, who accompanied and took care of Mukisa during the treatment in Australia, returned on July 10. Mukisa is one of the few lucky children who got support to heal their trauma after ritual sacrifice, although many end up losing their lives.
Mukisa is among scores of children whose lives are destroyed under the evil of child sacrifice. At KCM, Allan Sembatya, 9, who was castrated by a witch doctor is slated for surgery in August in the United States of America. His tormentor has since been released on bail pending trial.
He is suffering from a blood clot on the brain and experiences continuous fever.
Sembatya’s father sold his house and property to pay costs for the emergency treatment after he sustained a head injury resulting from a cut on the head and the neck.
Ms Karen Lewis, the Programme Director of KCM, says that although a lot of money has been spent, Mukisa’s life has been restored.
Pr Sewakiryanga laments that the two cases are part of the bigger problem resulting from ritual activities.
“We need to pray for the children and our country because many cases of child sacrifice go unreported. And those reported, the culprits walk scot free while others are charged with minor offences and are left to continue with their life threatening activities,” says Pr Sewakiryanga calling for government stringent policies against traditional healers.
“Government needs to come out loud to help us in the fight against ritual activities. There is need for an investigation to find out the benefits of traditional healers compared to other activities in the economy.”
By EPHRAIM KASOZI, Daily Monitor
