Mukono, Uganda. The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD) has listed twenty-four childcare homes in Mukono district at risk of closure.
This move is part of a broader initiative called the ‘Closure or transition of unapproved homes in Mukono,’ which serves as a pilot study to address the issue of illegally operating childcare homes nationwide.
While the final list is yet to be issued after thorough inspections, the campaign aims to eventually close down these homes that pose risks to the well-being of children.
Shafik Butanda, the Principal Probation and Social Welfare Officer at MGLSD, explained that the campaign initially targeted four local government units, including Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja City, and Jinja District.
“We decided to focus on Mukono where both the technical and political teams are more compliant and willing to support the campaign intended to ensure that children grow up in a supportive family environment,” Butanda said, Tuesday while briefing journalists in Mukono.
However, due to resource limitations, they decided to concentrate their efforts on Mukono, where both technical and political teams are more compliant and willing to support the cause of ensuring that children grow up in a supportive family environment.
The plan involves closing down the identified 24 illegal children’s homes and reintegrating the children into their parents’ homes. In cases where parents cannot be located, the authorities plan to engage and promote parents or place the children in approved homes.
Butanda further disclosed that they have identified approximately 200 foster parents in the country willing to care for these children.
Statistics from MGLSD indicate that there are currently only 190 approved homes in the country, accommodating 9700 children, with 80 percent of them located in the central region.
The increasing number of unapproved homes poses a concern, and the ministry plans to launch a crackdown to address this issue.
Mukono District Probation Officer, James Ntege, revealed that while the district has only eleven approved homes, they have identified twenty-four homes operating illegally, catering to 1200 children.
The ongoing pilot campaign aims to trace these children’s homes, with untraceable ones handed over to foster families, promoting adoption, and others transferred to approved homes.
Research conducted by MGLSD suggests that various factors, including financial and material poverty, violence at home, parental loss, separation or divorce, disability, chronic illness, humanitarian emergencies, and cultural practices, contribute to children leaving their homes for the streets or alternative homes.
Robert Peter Kabanda, Mukono Central Division Chairperson, welcomed the initiative, emphasising the importance of good parenting for children and the community.
Inadequate care, he noted, can be life-threatening and lead to various child protection concerns, negatively impacting both children and society at large.
The management of children’s homes in Uganda is regulated under Section 56 of the Children Act, Cap 59 (amended, 2016), supported by the Children (Approved Homes) Rules, 2013.
The rules outline standards for alternative care homes, including types and levels of care, approval criteria, and specifications for home approval. Ministerial approval is granted after ensuring the social welfare and medical needs of children are met.
The Children’s Act allows for the revocation of approval if an assessed home fails to meet the specified rules and standards. Closure is mandated within three months of the Minister’s decision.
Homes facing closure have the option of voluntary self-closure, notifying the minister in writing, with various closure types, including emergency closures for immediate risks and planned closures involving a structured transition process.
As the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development takes proactive steps to address the issue of unapproved childcare homes, it underscores the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for the well-being of Uganda’s children.
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