Mukono leaders halt registration of orphanages

Mukono. Mukono Municipality leaders have suspended any further registration of children’s homes and orphanages.
The Mukono Municipality leaders explain that the move is aimed at streamlining activities of both orphanages and children’s homes to eliminate briefcase organisations that present before them credentials with clear intentions but deviate from the set guidelines.
In a recent interview with Daily Monitor, the two leaders observed that some of the facilities established and registered as orphanages are operating outside the set guidelines and in total breach of standards meant to protect children from abuse.

Constant monitoring
Other charity homes, they observed, carry out suspicious activities that need constant monitoring by the relevant authorities.
This follows a recent inspection of charity homes, most of which did not meet the required minimum standards.
“We have now stopped issuing documents formalising the set-up of orphanages. We will have to first scritinise them and ensure that they have the facilities needed. We now urge other relevant government departments, including the NGO Forum to join our campaign to ensure that our children are in safe hands,” Mr Jamil Kakembo, the Central Division, chairperson said.
He added that some homes disguise as charity organisations to pursue other unscrupulous agendas.
“It is high time we come up with standard guidelines where the children homes and orphanages operate. We have had cases of facilities disguising as children homes and have breached security guidelines. They have also abused children’s rights,” Mr Erisa Nkoyoyo, the Goma Division chairperson, said.
“We need to know what is taking place at these centres. We should not wait to get bad news yet we have the ability to rectify the problem. We are not against the orphanage and children’s homes but a streamlined process is very paramount,” Mr Nkoyoyo emphasised.
The division chairpersons last Tuesday inspected Samuel’s Kids Ministries International, an orphanage with about 30 children located at Ngandu Zone in Central Division to check on the facilities and interact with the leaders.
Mr Samuel Ssengoba Mugabi, who heads the centre, said they care for the orphans and ensure that they are in school.
“I happen to have gone through tough conditions as an orphan. This prompted me to start the orphanage and help children who are disadvantaged,” Mr Ssengoba said.
In order to streamline activities of fake NGOs and charity organisations, the government has since introduced the Non-Governmental Organisations Bill (2015).
The Bill, among other provisions, requires all the 12,000 NGOs to re-register within six months after it has been passed.
It also regulates the activities of all NGOs in the country.