𝕁𝕠𝕫𝕖𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕄𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕚🇺🇬

In 2022, my BBC team and I were travelling across the continent to popularise my podcast, Africa Daily, when we met Samuel and Esteri Tebandeke. Ester was battling kidney failure and was being treated by the excellent team at Mulago Hospital. What a powerful story of love it turned out to be. Ester needed a kidney transplant, and Sam offered to donate his. I teared up during the interview because of Sam’s deep commitment to his wife. I saw their quiet determination to ensure that Esteri — an accomplished actor who had appeared in the acclaimed film Queen of Katwe — would pull through. He loved her. She loved and deeply appreciated him. They had raised half the money they needed and were struggling to find the rest — about $40,000. I promised I would mention their case to President Museveni, whom I was due to meet a few days later. When I met Mzee, I told him about them. Without hesitation, he instructed his then PPS, Kenneth Omona, to ensure Esther received the money she needed. The cash was delivered. They travelled to India for the operation, and at first it seemed everything had gone well. I stayed in touch with them, regularly checking on Esteri’s progress. Yesterday, Sam sent me a voice note to say that his Esteri had passed away. I am gutted. Esteri was young, beautiful, and immensely talented. I wish she had lived much longer. May she now rest peacefully after such a difficult few years. I pray for Sam — one of the greatest men I have ever met. May God grant him, and Ester’s family and friends, the fortitude they need to navigate these painful times.

Etania on why she supports my podcast It’s not about knowing you personally it’s about recognizing real work. A simple like, comment, or share goes a long way. Support what you believe in. 🙌🏿

“if you’re a writer, say ‘i miss you’ without writing ‘i miss you’.”