Husband abandons quadruplets

Ms Fausta Nyangoma and her babies after delivery at Ibanda Hospital.

Fausta Nyangoma says her husband ran away from home after a scan revealed that she was carrying quadruplets.

The diminutive Fausta Nyangoma lies on a bed with her newborn babies in a tiny sitting room, deep in Kanyamburara Village, Buhanda Sub-county in Kamwenge District.Twelve days ago, on September 9 at 3pm, Nyangoma checked in at Ibanda Hospital in labour pains. She delivered quadruplets by caesarean section, three girls and a boy, weighing 1.8 kg, 1.8kg, 1.6kg (the boy) and 1.1kg.

But Nyangoma did not have clothes for the babies even though she had known she was carrying four babies by the time she was three months pregnant. Unfortunately, one of the quadruplets (a boy) died two days after birth. Nyamgoma is currently not sure how she is going to be able to provide for the rest.

Her woes started months back, when she was still staying in Butawata Village in Kiginda Sub-county, Mubende District.

“I went to do a scan at a private clinic in Mubende. They told us [her and the husband] that I am carrying four babies. Immediately, my husband ran away from home. I also got scared but persevered. I prayed with my rosary every time,” says Nyangoma. Her husband Vincent Sande has not appeared since.

Nyangoma now has eight children. Her first two pregnancies were single children while with the third she carried twins. The fourth and latest being quadruplets.
She has taken her children to her parental home where she is now residing under the care of her 56-year-old mother.
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“My mother is the one taking care of me. I don’t know how I will manage. After delivery my husband called, we told him. He is scared. But I think I will remain here for a very long time,” she says.

When she was still in Mubende they earned a living doing some farming. “We grow maize and beans. But since I got pregnant I have not been able to grow anything, I don’t have any other way of getting money,” the Primary Six drop out said.

Although she admits she is not sure how much she can do, Banura Kwirina, Nyangoma’s frail mother, says she will try to take care of them the best way she can.

“I am weak but will try to cultivate to see that I support her in looking after the children, and maybe her husband will also give a hand,” she says.

Kwirina gave birth to 16 children. Five of the pregnancies were twins including Nyangoma.

Ibanda Hospital staff and another Good Samaritan have provided clothes for the children. Dr Charles Byaruhanga, a senior gynaecologist at the hospital, says Nyangoma needs to start family planning.

“She already has seven kids; it’s most likely that she will either deliver twins or triplets with her next pregnancy. If at all she should conceive, she needs family planning services,” says the doctor.