KAMPALA — Ugandan TikTok personality Timothy Kayanja, popularly known as Jayden, has died following a prolonged battle with sickle cell disease and aplastic anaemia.
News of his death was announced on Tuesday morning by fellow TikToker Sheila Price, who informed his followers about the passing.
“The sad news we just got at this moment is that Jayden has passed on. It’s such bad news,” Ms Price said.
Details surrounding the exact circumstances and place of his death were not immediately available by the time of publication.
Jayden had lived with sickle cell disease for about two decades, with his health challenges becoming increasingly serious over the past year.
His condition attracted widespread public attention in late 2025 after he appealed to Ugandans for financial assistance to facilitate a bone marrow transplant.
In December 2025, Jayden was reportedly rushed to TMR International Hospital in Naalya after developing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing.
According to reports at the time, doctors diagnosed him with acute chest syndrome and a vaso-occlusive crisis, both serious complications associated with sickle cell disease.
His treatment was further complicated by problems affecting his bone marrow, which was reportedly producing insufficient blood cells.
Doctors subsequently diagnosed him with aplastic anaemia, a condition in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
As his condition deteriorated, doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant as a possible treatment option.
The diagnosis prompted a fundraising campaign involving fellow content creators, friends and well-wishers, with members of the public contributing towards his treatment.
Jayden also used his social media platforms to document aspects of his health journey, updating his followers about his treatment and appealing for support.
Bone marrow transplant
There was renewed hope in July when Jayden underwent a bone marrow transplant.
On July 8, media personality Gideon Nova Kwikiriza announced that Jayden had successfully undergone the procedure and had come out of theatre.
“This is to inform you all that our very own, our boy Jayden had a successful bone marrow surgery and is both out of theatre and danger,” Mr Kwikiriza said at the time.
His reported death more than two months after the procedure has since prompted an outpouring of grief among friends, fellow content creators and his online followers.
Beyond his health struggles, Jayden had built a following on TikTok through humorous content focused on everyday life, social experiences and aspects of Ugandan culture.
His openness about living with sickle cell disease also brought attention to the challenges faced by people living with chronic blood disorders and those seeking specialised medical treatment.
His fundraising campaign highlighted the financial burden that complex medical procedures can place on patients and their families, particularly when specialised treatment is required.
Fellow content creators and members of Jayden’s online community have continued to pay tribute to him following news of his death, remembering him for his humour, creativity and willingness to share his personal health journey with the public.
At the time of publication, further details about his burial arrangements and funeral programme had not been made public.