Socialite Sipapa plays knight in shining armour

By Paul Waiswa

Local socialite Charles Olim a.k.a Sipapa has been heralded as a real-life hero. 

This was after he came to the aid of an accident victim who was knocked by a UPDF pickup on 29^th December 2021 and was later amputated.   

Fiona Rukundo, 19 was riding on a Boda Boda with another passenger in Gomba on the ill-fated day when the accident happened.

Sadly, the other passenger identified as Christine Nakasanga, 20, died on the spot while Phiona Rukundo lost an arm and is still nursing wounds.

       The real pain at the moment is not physical but financial, according to Rukundo’s mother Harriet Ngabo. She says that hospital bills have spiraled out of control and it is kind hearted people like Sipapa who have come to their rescue.

Fiona Rukundo and her mother

“He (Sipapa) offered us his personal doctor, a car to transport the patient and upkeep of sh5m.  He has also promised to buy my daughter a prosthetic arm when the wounds heal.    He has been our Messiah when government has not been forthcoming,” she said.

Ngabo admits that she received sh4m from State House to handle medical bills.  She laments that it hasn’t been enough.  “They promised to come to our rescue with more but we’ve never seen them. I was beginning to fear for my daughter’s future but there is some hope at least,” she said. 

In an interview, Sipapa reveals that he was moved to tears by the harrowing story.  He was also livid that the story gives government and president Museveni a bad name.

       “I know the government is mandated to help her and they should step up and they should help her secure her future.  However, as an individual with a heart for the hurting, I knew I could, in my capacity offer some help.  I am glad that she is improving and when she heals, I will buy her a prosthetic arm,” he said.

A prosthetic arm costs anywhere between $5,000 (17.6m) for a cosmetic prosthetic, up to $10,000 (35.2m)

According to Traffic Police spokesperson, ASP Faridah Nampiima, the victim and her family received sh4m from State House.  She advises them to follow up the appropriate channels for more aid. “They should follow the proper channels for compensation,” she said.