Music superstar Moses “Bebe Cool” Ssali has stepped in to spearhead a major fundraising campaign to save the life of 5-month-old Atuhairwe Gabriella Star Ntare, who urgently needs open-heart surgery in India.
Through Amber Heart Foundation, Bebe Cool will headline a fundraising car wash this Saturday, 7th November 2026, at Velocity Bar & Grill, Kyanja, from 8:00am till late.
The campaign, themed “Wash a Car. Save a Heart. Give Gabriella Hope,” aims to raise UGX 78,830,000 to cover the cost of surgery, travel, accommodation and post-operative care.
“I WILL BE THERE!!!” Bebe Cool announced on his social media pages- “I invite you all to come through for a fundraising car wash to save Baby Gabriella. Let’s show up big for this little angel. Drive in with Love, Drive out with Hope.”
Gabriella is the daughter of Brian Ntare Nganzi and Juliet Uwamahoro, parents to four wonderful children.
Brian works with HISP Uganda as an Information Systems Support Officer and DHIS2 Implementer, contributing to health information systems that support healthcare delivery across the country. Juliet is a stay-at-home mother who dedicates her time to caring for their family.
When Gabriella was born, she weighed 4.1 kilograms. The family welcomed her with immense joy and gratitude, looking forward to watching her grow alongside her siblings.
But shortly after her birth, during an assessment in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit, medical personnel noticed that Gabriella had holes in her heart and displayed signs associated with Down syndrome.
Like any parent, Brian and Juliet held onto hope, praying that further tests would bring reassuring news.
After about four months of observation and care, the family sought further attention at St. Catherine’s Hospital, where Dr. Aliku, a senior cardiologist, carefully assessed Gabriella. His findings confirmed the heart condition and signs consistent with Down syndrome.
He referred the family to the Uganda Heart Institute, the country’s specialized heart centre, for a more comprehensive evaluation.
There, Gabriella underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram (ECHO). The results confirmed a significant congenital heart condition.
The medical report confirmed that Gabriella had Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and a Complete Atrioventricular (AV) Canal Defect. She was also found to have a moderately sized Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and a small Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO).
Her condition affects the normal structure of her heart and the way blood flows through it. The defect allows blood to pass between chambers that would ordinarily be separated. De-oxygenated blood mixes with oxygenated blood, putting immense strain on her heart and lungs.
The Uganda Heart Institute recommended that Gabriella be referred abroad for open-heart surgery as soon as possible, describing the operation as high-risk.
“No parent ever imagines having to make decisions about major heart surgery for their baby. Yet, we knew we had to face this reality and do everything within our means to give our little girl the opportunity to live a healthier life,” Brian says in the family’s appeal titled Family’s Journey of Hope, Love and Faith.
Race against time:
Gabriella is now five months old, and time is becoming increasingly important.
Doctors have advised that she receives the surgery by 6 months of age, and at the latest, well before her first birthday. That window gives the family time to identify a suitable hospital, raise the required funds, and make the necessary travel arrangements.
The family has approached several organisations that support children requiring specialised medical treatment. Some have been unable to assist because of the high cost of the procedure. Others are still considering their requests.
At the same time, the family has been confronted with the financial reality of prolonged intensive care, including daily charges that can quickly become overwhelming when treatment extends over weeks or months.
They are now exploring treatment abroad, where they hope to find an experienced cardiac team and an appropriate treatment package they can realistically afford — not just any hospital that can perform the operation, but the right medical team to give Gabriella the best chance.
“We cannot depend entirely on organizations whose decisions and timelines remain uncertain. That is why we started the Gabriella Star Fundraising Campaign,” Brian explains.
Bebe Cool steps in:
Moved by the family’s story, Bebe Cool has now taken the campaign to his massive fanbase, using his platforms to amplify the call for help and mobilize Ugandans to act.
Organizers say Saturday’s car wash will be more than just washing cars. It will be a day of music, community, love and hope — with Bebe Cool expected to be present to meet supporters, encourage contributions, and rally the public.
“Clean Cars. Caring Hearts. A Brighter Tomorrow for Gabriella,” reads the campaign poster.
The family says Gabriella can be supported in three ways: Financial contributions, prayers and encouragement and sharing her story.
“Sharing with friends, family, corporate sponsors, foundations and hospitals could open the door that changes everything,” the dad says.
For those who cannot make it to Kyanja on Saturday:
MTN MoMo: 0782 907 444 (Ntare Brian)
Airtel Money: 0703 668 808 (Juliet Uwamahoro)
GoFundMe: http://gofundme.co/gghl/QMharily/Gabriella
“Our little girl has a big fight ahead of her, but she also has a family that believes in her and a growing community of people who care. Together, we hope to turn this difficult chapter into a story of courage, compassion and renewed hope,” the family says.
“Every contribution matters. Every prayer gives us strength. Every share could reach the person who makes the difference.“
