Health 14 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Dangerous Traditional Tonsil Removals Claiming Young Lives in Northern Uganda
Children in northern Uganda face deadly risks from botched traditional tonsil removals known as 'kwanyo gi dwon,' with 23 deaths reported in one month at Lira Hospital. Experts urge parents to seek professional medical care instead of cultural healers to prevent tragedies. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-kwanyo-gi-dwon-botched-tonsil-removals-sending-children-to-early-graves-5423056
In northern Uganda, particularly among Lango communities, a harmful practice called ‘kwanyo gi dwon’ is endangering children’s lives. Traditional healers use sharp tools to scrape out tonsil swellings, often leading to severe bleeding, infections, and death.
Jimmy, a two-year-old from Odololong Village in Oyam District, suffered persistent fevers and swallowing difficulties initially mistaken for malaria. His mother Jane rejected a neighbor’s advice for traditional removal and rushed him to Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Doctors diagnosed tonsillitis, performed safe surgery, and he recovered.
Dr. Ronnie Masindi, a public health consultant, revealed that 23 out of over 50 admitted children died in one month at the hospital due to these botched procedures. ‘Don’t gamble with your child’s health – seek medical expertise,’ he warned.
Tonsillitis, common in children aged 2-15, causes sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, and trouble swallowing, often from viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms can mimic other illnesses, leading parents to distrust clinics and turn to healers who leave wounds causing choking or speech issues.
Proper diagnosis involves throat exams and tests like rapid strep or cultures. Treatment includes rest, fluids, pain relievers, and antibiotics if bacterial; surgery is rare and only in hospitals.
Eradicating this requires community education to build trust in modern medicine.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)