Parents of children suffering from the nodding syndrome are saying that that disease is affecting them mentally too as most of them are already thinking twice about having anymore children for fear that they might die from the same ailment.

“We are not sure of having more children for fear that we might have children that might also be having the syndrome,” said Mr Simon Peter Okwonga. 

Okwonga, 32, is a father of three and a resident of Odek sub county in Gulu district who is taking care of his affected five years old son. 

He said that the disease will inevitably control the demographics of the region as child bearing age couples are scared of having children. 

“How do you get the moral of having more children when you are not sure of their health or if they will live,” said.

Ms Louise Akello agreed and added that it is mothers who are feeling the pain the most because they carry the burden of taking care of their suffering children single handedly as frustrated husbands give up and turn to alcohol for solace. 

“Some men are accusing their wives of having the syndrome thereby passing it to the children and  at the end of the day mothers suffer alone in fending for these children,” she said. 

Thomas Oluba, a village elder, allayed his fears for the future should the cause and medication for the disease continues to puzzle medical doctors and researchers.

“The existing children are vulnerable; while those in the age of having children have folded their hands and us we are already old, what will happen to the next generation, can we talk of a next generation?  He asked.