By Karim Were
Claire Kirabo Dies After Six-Year ICU Battle, Marking One of Uganda’s Most Remarkable Survival Stories
Claire Kirabo, the woman whose six-year stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital became one of Uganda’s most extraordinary medical stories, has died.
The hospital announced her passing on July 12, 2026, paying tribute to a patient whose determination and resilience inspired healthcare workers and family members throughout her prolonged admission.
“Our longest staying ICU patient is no more,” the hospital said in a statement. “Ms. Claire Kirabo has been under the care of our dedicated multidisciplinary ICU team for six years. Admitted unconscious, she later regained awareness. She now holds the longest ICU stay record.”
Kirabo was admitted in August 2020 after suffering a rare stroke that affected the base of her skull, cutting off blood flow to her brainstem and leaving her unable to breathe independently. She was initially rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital before being transferred to Mbarara after critical care equipment at the referring facility was unavailable.
Doctors said her condition was especially challenging, with her heart reportedly stopping several times before specialists identified the cause of her illness. She underwent an emergency tracheostomy and remained dependent on a ventilator for the rest of her life.
Despite the severity of her condition, Kirabo gradually defied expectations. She regained consciousness and learned to communicate using an eye-tracking computer donated by her American physiotherapist, Zilla Whitehouse. By selecting letters with her eyes, she was able to express her needs, communicate with caregivers and interact with her loved ones.
Medical staff also noted encouraging signs of recovery over the years, including the return of sensation in parts of her body, making her case one of the most remarkable ever managed by the hospital’s ICU team.
Her prolonged survival came with enormous financial demands. Family members previously revealed they were spending millions of shillings every month on specialised feeding, medical supplies and other care not covered within the hospital, while continuing to stand by her throughout the six-year journey.
According to ICU nurse Rosemary Dusabe, most critically ill patients remain in intensive care for only a few weeks or months, making Kirabo’s six-year admission unprecedented at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Her case has also drawn comparisons with Poland’s Janusz Świtaj, whose six-year stay in intensive care following a road accident has been recognised internationally. Kirabo’s admission appears to match that duration, placing her among the longest-known ICU survivors documented worldwide.
Although her life ended after years of intensive medical care, Claire Kirabo leaves behind a legacy of resilience, unwavering family support and the dedication of healthcare professionals who cared for her through one of Uganda’s longest and most remarkable ICU admissions.
