Homes caring for children with disabilities and abandoned individuals have appealed to the government for support, highlighting the increasing challenges of managing residents who have grown into adulthood.
The appeal was made during a visit by the Minister for the Presidency in charge of Persons with Disabilities, Hellen Asamo, to the Missionaries of Charity home in Namugongo.
During the visit, the administrators of the home, led by Sister Euphrasia Masika, who oversees the institution’s operations in Uganda, and Pauline Nakimuli, in charge of social services, explained that they are increasingly overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for residents who have transitioned into adulthood.
“We have raised these children from a very young age, but now they are adults with greater needs. We do not have enough space or resources to cater for them properly,” Sister Euphrasia said.
The administrators added that securing legal identification documents for residents is also a major challenge, as many do not know their origins or biological families.
“We want to process identification documents for them, but it is difficult because most of them do not know where they come from. This limits their opportunities as adults,” Nakimuli explained.
Fr Vincent Lubega, the parish priest of Namugongo, said most children arrive at the home as infants.
“As they grow older, their needs increase. They require more specialized care and support. We are appealing to the government to work with us to expand this facility so that it can accommodate both children and adults since they have nowhere else to go,” Fr Lubega said.
In response, Minister Asamo acknowledged the challenges and assured the management of government support.
“We are going to work on the legal framework guiding homes that care for children who later become adults. Government will also consider providing start-up funds so that the grown-ups can begin income-generating activities while staying here,” she said.
Emily Ajambo, the assistant commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between government and child care institutions.
“We shall continue engaging with such homes to ensure proper supervision and adherence to the guidelines that govern institutions caring for vulnerable children and adults,” Ajambo said.
The minister later toured the facility, interacting with both children and adults under the institution’s care, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents.