Health
Ugandans rallied to voluntarily donate blood to save lives
The national commemoration came at a time when health experts are warning of persistent blood shortages that continue to threaten emergency healthcare services, maternal health, accident response, and life-saving surgeries.
Charlotte Kainerugaba (centre) listens to Dr Dorothy Kyeyune during a guided tour of the UTBS facility in Nakasero over the weekend (June 13). (Courtesy)
By: Simon Okitela, Journalist @New Vision
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As Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Blood Donor Day over the weekend, a powerful message echoed across the country: donating blood is not merely a medical act; it is a lifeline that can mean the difference between life and death.
The national commemoration came at a time when health experts are warning of persistent blood shortages that continue to threaten emergency healthcare services, maternal health, accident response, and life-saving surgeries.
Speaking during an event held at the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) offices in Nakasero, Charlotte Kainerugaba, Uganda PPH Champion, used the occasion to renew calls for more voluntary blood donors, emphasising that a reliable blood supply remains one of the pillars of a functional healthcare system.
“Blood donation is one of the highest forms of service to humanity. Today, as we commemorate World Blood Donor Day, I encourage all eligible Ugandans to embrace voluntary blood donation as an act of compassion, solidarity, and responsibility. Together, we can save lives and strengthen our healthcare system,” she noted.
This year's observance placed particular focus on the fight against postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in Uganda. Health officials stressed that timely access to safe blood can save mothers experiencing severe bleeding during childbirth, turning what could be a tragedy into a story of survival.
The Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) emphasised that this year’s theme highlights the importance of strengthening the entire blood system from donor recruitment and qualification to screening, storage, and delivery to ensure safe blood is available when patients need it most.
In her speech, Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire, the Executive Director, Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS), said every unit of blood donated represents hope for a patient in need.
“Strengthening the entire system from donor recruitment to safe delivery ensures that mothers, children, accident victims, and other patients receive timely care. Safe blood availability is central to reducing preventable deaths, especially those linked to postpartum haemorrhage,” she added.
Speaking on the significance of partnerships, Joanita Mukasa Menya, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, said that at Vivo Energy Uganda, they believe in powering progress beyond energy.
This year's observance placed particular focus on the fight against postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in Uganda. Health officials stressed that timely access to safe blood can save mothers experiencing severe bleeding during childbirth, turning what could be a tragedy into a story of survival.
The Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) emphasised that this year’s theme highlights the importance of strengthening the entire blood system from donor recruitment and qualification to screening, storage, and delivery to ensure safe blood is available when patients need it most.
In her speech, Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire, the Executive Director, Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS), said every unit of blood donated represents hope for a patient in need.
“Strengthening the entire system from donor recruitment to safe delivery ensures that mothers, children, accident victims, and other patients receive timely care. Safe blood availability is central to reducing preventable deaths, especially those linked to postpartum haemorrhage,” she added.
Speaking on the significance of partnerships, Joanita Mukasa Menya, the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, said that at Vivo Energy Uganda, they believe in powering progress beyond energy.
“Our partnership with UBTS reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that save lives. Through World Blood Donor Day activities and our continued support under the Fuelling Hope initiative, we are helping to raise awareness and encourage more Ugandans to become voluntary blood donors.”
Behind every unit of blood lies a human story. It may be a mother seeing her newborn child for the first time, an accident victim getting a second chance at life, or a child battling a life-threatening illness. Yet blood cannot be manufactured in a laboratory.
While many Ugandans recognise the importance of blood donation, misconceptions and fear still discourage potential donors. Medical experts continue to reassure the public that blood donation is safe and that healthy adults can donate regularly under professional supervision. The greater risk, they argue, lies not in donating blood but in failing to have enough blood available when emergencies arise.
Uganda's blood demand continues to rise alongside a growing population and increasing healthcare needs. The challenge is not merely collecting blood during annual campaigns but cultivating a culture of regular voluntary donation throughout the year. Schools, universities, corporate organisations, religious institutions, and community groups all have a role to play in mobilising donors and sustaining the national blood supply.
World Blood Donor Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the silent heroes among us, ordinary citizens whose selfless donations have saved countless lives. They rarely know the people they help, yet their contribution leaves an enduring impact on families and communities across the country.
Behind every unit of blood lies a human story. It may be a mother seeing her newborn child for the first time, an accident victim getting a second chance at life, or a child battling a life-threatening illness. Yet blood cannot be manufactured in a laboratory.
While many Ugandans recognise the importance of blood donation, misconceptions and fear still discourage potential donors. Medical experts continue to reassure the public that blood donation is safe and that healthy adults can donate regularly under professional supervision. The greater risk, they argue, lies not in donating blood but in failing to have enough blood available when emergencies arise.
Uganda's blood demand continues to rise alongside a growing population and increasing healthcare needs. The challenge is not merely collecting blood during annual campaigns but cultivating a culture of regular voluntary donation throughout the year. Schools, universities, corporate organisations, religious institutions, and community groups all have a role to play in mobilising donors and sustaining the national blood supply.
World Blood Donor Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the silent heroes among us, ordinary citizens whose selfless donations have saved countless lives. They rarely know the people they help, yet their contribution leaves an enduring impact on families and communities across the country.