Spirited push for more blood donation to match growing demand
“This year, Sheebah Kalungi, a Senior Five student, lost her life. Although she was rushed to the hospital immediately after the road crash, she tragically did not survive due to lack of blood,” Wekhoyesa said.
Blood bank staff collecting samples of blood from students during the blood donation drive at Entebbe Secondary school on 1st July 2026.(Credit: Juliet Kasirye)
At times, medical experts are forced to postpone surgeries or delay emergency treatments due to blood shortages in health care facilities. However, to save lives, blood banks recommend that more people donate blood voluntarily.
Jeremiah Wekhoyesa, the head boy of Entebbe Secondary School in Wakiso district, said that because of blood shortage, a student at the school died.
“This year, Sheebah Kalungi, a Senior Five student, lost her life. Although she was rushed to the hospital immediately after the road crash, she tragically did not survive due to lack of blood,” he said.
Since every blood drop counts, Wekhoyesa advised all young people to continue donating blood in order to save lives.
He made the plea during the blood donation drive organised by Entebbe Corridor Cluster at Entebbe Secondary School mid-this week.
During the donation drive, students were very enthusiastic about donating blood.
To support this government’s initiative, Rotarians aim to collect 3,000 units of blood.
“Government has been encouraging all of us to save lives by donating blood. In Rotary, we have chosen to do small acts, for example, encouraging people to give blood and understand the spirit of giving. From Entebbe SS, we target to collect 200 blood units,” he said.
Amid a high demand for blood, Dr Alex Opio, a retired medical doctor, said meeting the supply requires a lot of effort.
Some of the blood units collected at Entebbe Secondary school on 1st July 2026. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)
Blood is a vital commodity needed for transfusion, such as for patients who have suffered trauma from road crashes.
To supplement the government's efforts, Opio revealed that they are collecting as many blood units as possible. In sub-Saharan Africa, in a span of two seconds, someone will need blood to be donated to save his life. This implies that every minute, 30 people will need blood.
“For instance, health centres IVs, which are far away from towns, and need to do an emergency surgery such as a Caesarean Section. If the doctor who is going to operate assesses that the mother is having low levels of blood, they will postpone the surgery. Yet, delaying emergency surgery is associated with increasing the risks of death," he said.
Since 80% of the blood they collect comes from students from secondary schools and higher institutions of learning, Lilian Nantambi, the senior blood donor recruitment officer from Nakasero Blood Bank, said that currently they don't have a blood crisis.
“We have 27 teams countrywide who are hitting their target, and all the hospitals are fully stocked. When we collect this blood, we take it to the blood bank, screen it thoroughly for the major diseases, for example, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis, plus other diseases.”
Arthur Byara, Rotary Club of Entebbe president interact with PDG Peace Taremwa during the blood donation drive at Entebbe Secondary school on 1st July 2026. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)
After thorough screening, the blood is distributed to different hospitals countrywide according to their need.
The target is people who have been involved in accidents, mothers who have lost a lot of blood during childbirth and patients with sickle cell disease, cancer, HIV and other chronic diseases.
However, in scenarios where blood donated has an infection, Nantambi said they burn it, and only distribute blood which has no infection at all.
“Since blood is medicine, all Ugandans should know that they are entitled to a free unit of blood, and it is free. Anyone selling blood is doing so illegally and will have their license cancelled," said Nantambi.
To ensure learners donate blood, Frank Sendi, the head teacher of Entebbe Secondary School, said since anyone can fall sick at any time and need blood, learners were taught about the importance of donating blood.
From the 24 schools where the blood donation drive was conducted, 3,319 units of blood were collected from within the five corridors. For instance, in Greater Masaka, 892 blood units were collected, 568 blood units in Ggaba, 652 units in Entebbe Corridor, 664 units in Masaka, and 543 blood units in Western Zone 1.