Mothers’ Tents at Kawempe National Referral Hospital Supporting Mothers of Preterm Babies in Uganda

At Preterm Infants Parents Network Uganda, we recognize that the journey of a preterm baby is also the journey of the mother. Many mothers spend long periods in hospital while their babies receive specialized care in the NICU, yet they often have no safe or comfortable place to rest nearby. To respond to this gap, we introduced Mothers’ Tents at Kawempe National Referral Hospital to provide a safe resting space for mothers of preterm babies while keeping them close to their infants. For many families in Uganda, the challenges include: Lack of nearby affordable accommodation Exhaustion from staying long hours in hospital Emotional stress during NICU admission Difficulty balancing rest and baby care The Mothers’ Tents help remove these barriers by offering: A safe and secure place to rest within hospital reach Continuous access to their babies in the NICU Better ability to support breastfeeding and Kangaroo Mother Care Reduced physical and emotional strain on mothers This support strengthens newborn care because preterm babies thrive when mothers are close, present, and able to participate in daily care. The Mothers’ Tents are part of a wider commitment to make preterm care in Uganda more supportive, family centered, and focused on survival and dignity. When mothers are supported, babies have a better chance to survive and thrive.