A traditional birth attendant whose hands welcomed over 2,000 children — and whose witness still shapes maternal and child health in Kashangura Parish.
Aidah Kugonza was a respected traditional birth attendant in Kashangura Parish, Ibanda District. For decades she carried the quiet, demanding work of safe motherhood in a rural community — answering knocks at every hour and walking, often by lantern, to wherever a mother needed help.
Her practice combined inherited wisdom with humility before formal medicine. She referred difficult cases early, partnered with Ibanda Hospital (Kagongo), and championed child immunisation when many in the village were still hesitant.
The Foundation now carries forward her example: that community health begins with one trusted neighbour, and that compassion, faithfully practised, becomes infrastructure.
Before mobile phones and ambulances, Aidah's lantern moving through the village meant a mother somewhere was safe.
She believed listening to a labouring mother was half the medicine — patience, prayer, presence.
She trusted formal medicine and never delayed a referral when a case had moved beyond her reach.
Born in Kashangura Parish, Ibanda District. Raised in a family that valued service and faith.
Apprenticed as a traditional birth attendant; learned from senior mothers in the parish.
Decades of round-the-clock attendance at births, immunisations, and home health visits.
Built a referral relationship with Ibanda Hospital (Kagongo) that protected mothers and newborns.
Trained and walked beside the next generation of birth attendants in the parish.
Her family and the community established the Foundation to preserve and continue her work.
Aidah also championed routine child immunisation in partnership with Ibanda Hospital (Kagongo), helping a generation of children survive their first five years.
Acknowledged by local leadership, parish institutions and partner clinicians as a foundational figure in maternal and child health.
Her children and the families she served continue to speak of her as "a mother to mothers" — the highest honour her community could give.
"Every mother saved is a future preserved."
More historical photographs will be added as the family contributes to the archive.
