Ayikoru Janet is a 28-year-old mother of three from Honhwa and an obstetric fistula survivor. For a year she lived with an obstetric fistula, a condition that took her health, her work and most of the people around her. In August 2026, at UVP’s fistula repair camp at Kiryandongo General Hospital, she received the surgery that changed that.
During her pregnancy, Janet attended antenatal care twice. On her third visit to Kabale Health Centre III, her labour began. She had none of the supplies needed for delivery and no money to buy them, so she left the facility and went home, where she turned to a traditional birth attendant for help.
She spent two days there and could not deliver. When she returned to the health centre, her condition had worsened and the staff could not help her. They referred her to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, where she learned that she had lost her baby. Janet was taken to surgery, and two days later she noticed she was leaking urine. Initially, she believed that it was a result of her operation, but was later told it was a result of the obstructed labour.
Life with a fistula
When Janet returned home she found she could no longer do the work she relied on – digging people’s gardens – because no one would hire her. She began living on handouts from well-wishers.
“People started isolating themselves from me. I lost self-esteem and confidence in myself. Life was never the same.”
One of Janet’s relatives who happened to be a former fistula patient and is now serving as one of UVP’s fistula ambassadors, connected Janet to UVP. Staff members Judith and Robert visited her at home and told her when the camp would take place. Janet was then able to make her way to Kiryandongo Hospital when the camp commenced.
Looking ahead
Janet’s surgery was a success. Her continence has been restored, and she is already thinking about what comes next.
“I am hopeful that when I get back home and heal very well, I will be able to start again and look for work to do. I am also optimistic about any opportunities that might be available for me, and I am willing to take them on.”
“I thank UVP so much – please continue helping the many other women out there suffering from the same condition.”
Janet was one of 32 women who received fistula surgery at UVP’s camp at Kiryandongo General Hospital in August 2026.