Three Children, Three Journeys of Hope: Free Cleft Surgeries at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso.
Through its partnership with Smile Train, St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso continues to give children and adults born with cleft lip and palate a chance to smile, eat, speak and live with greater confidence.
For some families, a child’s birth with a cleft lip or palate can come with uncertainty, worry and many unanswered questions. But for families who find their way to St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso, hope is possible.
Through a partnership with Smile Train, St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso provides free cleft lip and palate surgeries to eligible patients, both children and adults.
The support goes beyond the surgery. Patients and their parents or caregivers also receive free transport, meals and accommodation while at the facility.
Three surgeries, three stories of hope
On 12 September 2026, three patients underwent successful cleft surgeries at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso.
Their journeys were different, but they shared one thing in common: the hope of a better future.
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Brian Haman: A three-month-old given a new beginning.
At just three months old, Brian Haman, from Kasangati in Wakiso District, underwent surgery to repair his cleft lip.
His mother and next of kin, Ms. Namaganda Catherine, was deeply grateful for the opportunity and thanked both St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso and Smile Train for making the surgery possible.
Brian’s cleft defect had been diagnosed at birth. At the time of surgery, he was on mixed feeding and his immunizations were up to date.
For his mother, the surgery represented more than a medical procedure. It was a step towards giving her young son the opportunity to grow and develop with greater confidence.
Arthur returns for the next stage of his journey
Ssekiyunju Arthur, three-year-old boy and a first born of two children from Kyotera District, knows St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso well.
Arthur was born with both a cleft lip and palate and was referred from Kawempe Hospital. His cleft lip was repaired at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso two years ago.
As recommended by the medical team, Arthur returned to the hospital for the next stage of his treatment — cleft palate repair.
His mother, Ms. Nakibuule Proscovia, expressed her gratitude to St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso and Smile Train for continuing to support her son’s journey.
The successful palate repair has given her renewed hope that Arthur will be able to begin school next year with greater confidence and without the worries associated with speech difficulties caused by an unrepaired cleft palate.
She also encouraged other parents whose children are born with cleft conditions not to be afraid or lose hope.
“Parents should not worry when their babies are born with such defects. There is help available.”
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Aiden: From difficulty feeding to renewed hope
The third patient was Ayan Aiden, a one-year-old boy from Tula, Kawempe, who was accompanied by his grandmother.
Aiden was born with both a cleft lip and palate. His cleft lip was repaired at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso when he was just three months old.
He returned to the hospital this September for his cleft palate repair.
Before the surgery, his grandmother explained some of the difficulties Aiden experienced when feeding solid foods because of the unrepaired palate.
Seeing her grandchild receive the treatment he needed brought great relief and gratitude.
The family expressed their appreciation to the entire medical team for the care and support given to Aiden throughout his treatment journey.
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A team committed to changing lives
Behind every successful surgery is a team of healthcare professionals working together to ensure that every patient receives safe and compassionate care.
The families expressed their appreciation to the medical team, including Paediatrician Dr. Geraldine, Dr. Joseph Kyaterekera and Surgeon Dr. Cornelius Masambu, together with the wider team involved in the patients’ care.
For St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso, these surgeries are not simply procedures. They are opportunities to change lives and restore hope to families.
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The stories of Brian, Arthur and Aiden demonstrate the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate medical care and continued follow-up.
They also demonstrate what is possible when healthcare providers and partners come together to remove the financial barriers that can prevent families from accessing essential treatment.
Through its partnership with Smile Train, St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso continues to support eligible patients living with cleft lip and palate.
If your child or someone you know was born with a cleft lip or palate, do not lose hope. Help is available.
St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso is committed to ensuring that eligible patients can access the care they need through this partnership.
Giving every patient a reason to smile
For Brian, Arthur and Aiden, their surgeries mark another important step in their journeys.
For their families, they bring relief.
And for the medical team at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wakiso and Smile Train Uganda, they represent what can happen when compassion, partnership and medical expertise come together.
Every child deserves the chance to smile, grow and face the future with confidence.
