gamme@eagle.co.ug
Kampala-Miss Tourism 2014/2015, Roberta Jean-Marie Magoba, will spearhead an art exhibition and auction to fundraise money for the treatment of former Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) boss, Moses Mapesa.
The exhibition scheduled for July 18, 2015, at the Sheraton Hotel is being organized in conjunction with Sheraton Hotel, Afriart Gallery, Association of Uganda Tour Operators and Miss Tourism who is also an artist. Activities will include an exhibition of various art works in line with nature and tourism, and thereafter, a fundraising auction.
The “Save Moses Mapesa” fundraising initiative was launched on April 22, 2015, and has had notable progress according to the committee Chairperson, Ms. Eunice Nyiramahoro Duli.
Mapesa requires US$100,000 about (Shs300million) to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Mayo Clinic-Arizona, in USA. According to Mrs. Duli, they have managed to raise Shs105million both in pledges and cash.
Mrs. Duli says the biggest chunk of money was received from friends, family, and former workmates. Mapesa’s family raised Shs50million and UWA also pledged Shs50million which she says they are still following up.
Mapesa has now scheduled an appointment with Mayo Clinic-Arizona for August 11, 2015, in order to do preliminary tests and assessments, after which he will travel back to USA in October for the transplant procedure and thereafter, stay there for three months to one year under observation.
Mapesa for eight years now has suffered from Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a disease which makes him unable to manufacture his own blood. As a result, he requires a weekly blood transfusion which costs Shs600, 000.in Kampala
According to his family member, Dr. Robert Nabanyumya, the doctors recommended a trial drug to reduce on the intervals between which he requires a new blood transfusion.
“This is why we are holding this drive so that he does not reach a point where he will need a transfusion after two days. If he once worked hard to save a gorilla, I think we can save his life too,” Dr. Nabanyumya said.
According to Dr. Henry Ddungu of Uganda Cancer Institute, who is also Mapesa’s lead doctor, the cause of this ailment is medically unknown. He says many Ugandans have this condition but do not know they even have it. He says Mapesa is in the high risk category and that is why he needs immediate attention.
Those intending to help, for any financial assistance, please use mobile number 0700 754182, which belongs to Sylvia Mapesa (his wife); or call Sam Mwandha on 0776 890424; or reach them on the Facebook page “Save Moses Mapesa”.
The moneys raised will be remitted to the Moses Mapesa Medical Fund, Account number 6004677593, Barclays Bank; Rwenzori Courts Branch.
Who is Moses Wafula Mapesa?
49 year old Mapesa is a husband to Sylvia Nafula Mapesa and together they have seven children. He is currently into private consultancy in the areas of tourism and conservation management. Mapesa is also volunteering at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) where he is serving as the Vice Chairperson in charge of the East and South African region.
He started work as a researcher in 1988. He joined Uganda National Parks as a research officer in 1996. He was deployed as a warden for Queen Elizabeth national Park, Chief Warden for Kibale and Kidepo national Park, from where he moved on to head Mt. Elgon as the Chief warden.
In 2000, he was promoted to coordinator Planning Monitoring and Research. In 2002, he was directed to deputy Director, Field Operations. In 2005, he was appointed Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority where he served up to 2010 when he left.
While at UWA, Mapesa served as board chair for Bwindi trust fund to support the conservation of Bwindi and Gahinga national parks. He also represented UWA globally in the IUCN.
