Babies born on Christmas Day named after Jesus

Mothers who gave birth on Christmas Day at Kayunga hospital hold their children at the weekend. Photo by Fred Muzaale 

In Summary

At Jinja Regional Referral Hospital alone, 13 babies were born on Christmas Day

Nationwide. Several babies were born on Christmas Day across the country, allowing their mothers to give them names associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
A total of 59 babies were born at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Ms Mirembe Marvian, a resident of Musoba, who was found in Ward Five, said she had already packed her luggage to travel to her village in Luweero to celebrate Christmas but labour pains cut her journey short.

“At 3pm, I was blessed with a bouncing baby boy through normal delivery. I have decided to call him Christian,” Ms Mirembe said.
“I started feeling labour pains on Christmas Eve but I knew they would go away. So I hesitated going to hospital since I already had plans of going to the village,” she added.
Ms Mirembe said the baby is her first born and she hopes that he becomes a medical doctor since her birth coincides with that of Christ.
Ms Mary Grace Namirembe, a resident of Nsambya, a city suburb, was blessed with a baby girl whom she wants to name Josephine.

“I knew I was going to celebrate the day at home but I finally found myself in the labour ward,” said Ms Namirembe, adding that she hopes being born on Christmas will inspire her child to be good like Christ.
She said she had been told by the doctors that she would undergo surgery but she was so grateful that she delivered normally.

According to Sr Christine Sakabembe, a nursing officer at the hospital, 42 babies were born at the main labour ward, 15 at Ward 14 in Old Mulago and two at wards D and E. Among the newborns, she said 53 were normal deliveries while six were by caesarian.
“Two pairs of twins were delivered on Christmas. However, one set was delivered prematurely and was taken to the nursery where they are being looked after. But they are in a good condition,” said Sr Rose Nakayiza Namazzi, a nursing officer.
At Case Hospital, a private health facility, three babies were delivered on Christmas Day; two males and one female.

In Mbarara District, 28 babies were born on Christmas Day at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Sixteen were female and twelve male.
Ms Florida Tusiimire, the midwife who was on duty, said Ms Annah Bainomugisha, who was referred from Lyantonde hospital, gave birth to twins; a female and male, by caesarean section.
Ms Tusiimire said they registered a stillbirth of a mother that had been referred from Itojo Hospital in Ntungamo District. She said nine mothers delivered by cesarean section.

At Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, 13 babies were born on Christmas Day. One was a stillbirth, one by caesarian and the rest normal delivery. Ms Monica Nagobi, a mother, said she named her baby Emmanuel. At Bugiri hospital, seven babies were born and one stillbirth recorded.
A total of eight children were born in Kayunga Hospital on Christmas Day. A midwife, Ms Irene Kuliva, said four of the babies were male while four were female. She said only one mother gave birth by caesarian section.
By Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Fred Anyine, Denis Edema & Fred Muzaale

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com