The commonly recognized sign of epilepsy would be a recurring seizure and throwing a fit resulting from electrical discharges from the brain cells, a condition Emmanuel Aide, a victim suffering from the disease, described as uncontrollable electric shocks circulating in the brain.
Aide recounted an incident outside his hometown in the outskirts of Soroti town that narrowly cost his life.
In the evening of July 2023, he recalled riding his motorcycle as usual from the Kapir district to his workplace in Soroti town when suddenly, around the Awoja bridge, he felt a continuous shocking sensation in his head and could not bring the motorcycle to a stop.
The passersby who knew him said that he rammed into a speeding trailer, which sent his already unconscious body and wrecked motorcycle to the side of the road and rushed him to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for immediate medical attention.
After he recovered his consciousness, Aide was deeply terrified; however, he said that he has been afraid for his life for so long since he gets seizures at any time and in any place, affecting his daily activities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), epilepsy is a chronic, non-communicable disorder of the brain characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, which is a growing concern in Uganda.
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The 2024 WHO report indicates that the condition affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most widespread neurological disorders globally.
WHO further defines epilepsy as a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures that can stem from various causes such as traumatic brain injuries, infections, genetic factors, or developmental abnormalities, or some do not have a known cause.
A senior physician and nephrologist at Norvik Hospital, Robert Kalyesubula, said that the most common type of epilepsy is idiopathic epilepsy, which lacks a clear cause and affects every category of age and gender.
Kalyesubula noted that epileptic seizures vary widely in their presentation, ranging from brief lapses of awareness to severe convulsions that involve loss of consciousness and control over bodily functions.
“Research suggests that numerous genes may influence susceptibility to seizures and the effectiveness of treatments, and a diagnosis is made after observing at least two unprovoked seizures, often confirmed through electroencephalography (EEG), which records the brain’s electrical activity,’’ he said.
He also highlighted treatment options, saying that effective treatment for epilepsy is available and can significantly improve the quality of life for many individuals suffering from it.
“Approximately 70% of people with epilepsy can achieve seizure control with appropriate medication, or for those who do not respond to medication, surgical options may be considered,’’ Kalyesubula noted.
Kalyesubula added that despite advancements in understanding and treating epilepsy, individuals living with this condition often face significant stigma and discrimination.
He, however, condemned myths surrounding epilepsy in many cultures, which he said brings fear and bias, impacting the mental health and overall well-being of affected individuals.
“Misunderstandings about the disorder contribute to social isolation and hinder access to healthcare services,” Kalyesubula stated.
According to the study done by Makerere School of Public Health, it was unveiled that the national prevalence rate of epilepsy in Uganda is alarmingly high at 1.69%, indicating that over 770,000 Ugandans are living with the disease.
