The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has launched the Church of Uganda’s focus on Children’s Month at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District under the theme “Doing Good for Children”, delivering relief items to vulnerable children.
On Thursday, Archbishop Kaziimba distributed relief items to 1,000 children aged 0–17 years, noting that since the program’s launch in July 2024, over 3,000 refugees have benefited from food, non-food items, psychosocial support, counseling, referrals, and awareness programs on gender-based violence.
“Since opening our office in July 2024, we have reached over 3,000 refugees with essential support through male champions, community activists, Girl Shine, and other structures. We have also facilitated peace and dialogue meetings to promote peaceful coexistence,” Kaziimba said.
He highlighted the challenges faced by children in the settlement, including food shortages, limited access to basic services, and trauma, noting that these vulnerabilities threaten their futures and limit opportunities every child deserves.
The Church also called on government agencies to prioritise children’s needs in planning and resource allocation to secure a brighter future for the next generation.
“As the Church, we recognise that addressing the plight of children, especially in marginalised communities, requires a united effort. We urge all development partners, civil society organisations, and members of our diocese, parishes, schools, and institutions to actively support children through donations of essential items such as food, soap, sanitary pads, school supplies, and other household necessities,” the Archbishop said.
Kaziimba also appealed to African leaders in the Great Lakes region to advocate for dialogue and peace to prevent conflict, displacement, and disruption of livelihoods.
“We thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for their partnership with the Church of Uganda and the Government of Uganda in bringing hope to many refugees. We do not grow weary in doing good. Let us continue to be the hands and feet of service to those in need,” he added.
Nakivale Refugee Settlement currently hosts approximately 181,803 refugees, with Uganda accommodating around 1.96 million refugees nationwide—a figure expected to reach 2 million by year-end.