Mukono, Uganda
Street children in Uganda often recount stories of hardship, resilience, and hope for a brighter future once an opportunity strikes.
Amid their prayers, Rev. Dr. Kefa Ssempangi, known for his unwavering dedication to the welfare of children in the country, answered by reviving his mission to support the homeless children.
This initiative, which had faced challenges and was inactive for some time, is now regaining its momentum, bringing renewed hope to many young lives.
Ssempangi, who once served as the State Minister for Rehabilitation under the late Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa’s cabinet, first garnered recognition in the early 1970s.
As the former chairman of the National Council for Children (NCC), he launched a significant campaign through his Africa Foundation, dedicated to providing care and support for homeless children.
His efforts to offer these vulnerable youngsters a haven and a chance for a better future have been a cornerstone of his life’s work.
Ssempangi’s efforts and mission to maintain the project have met so many challenges, including attempts on his life during President Idi Amin’s rule.
Despite these obstacles, thousands of former street children who benefited from his initiatives are now thriving in prominent positions both locally and abroad.
Recently, the groundbreaking for the phased construction of two large buildings to support vulnerable children took place in Ntanzi village, Ntenjeru-Kisoga town council, Mukono district.
This project is funded by former street children rehabilitated by the Africa Foundation, which he established.
During an interview with the Insight Post at his home in Wantoni, on the outskirts of Mukono town, he shared that one of the new buildings will include dormitories, counselling services, and vocational training facilities.
This building, costing 116 million shillings, is expected to be completed by December this year.
“Each of the two buildings is among others facilitated to include dormitories with a 100 people capacity each, two acres of land was acquired and dedicated for this cause through courtesy of former foundation beneficiaries,” he noted
Ssempangi further highlighted the growing number of street children in Ugandan towns and newly established cities, particularly noting the situation of children from the Karamoja region.
“Unless government identifies and blocks individuals responsible for the influx of Karimojong kids and youths on the streets, their numbers are likely to multiply twice, thus escalating death, security and other social risks posed by their presence on the streets,” he added
He expressed concern over these children often being left unattended by authorities and sometimes becoming aggressive when not given money, even damaging vehicles in traffic.
Reflecting on his philanthropic journey, Ssempangi explained that he started the Africa Foundation in 1971, initially focusing on children of Acholi victims killed by Idi Amin.
His efforts drew attention from the government, forcing him to flee to Kenya and then the United States to escape persecution.
Despite acknowledging that his work is just a small contribution to the vast problem of street children in Uganda, he urged other compassionate Ugandans to get involved.
After returning from exile in 1979, he faced another setback when the original funder of the Foundation, Ms. Rookmaaker, passed away, and her successors decided not to continue the funding.
“They wanted me to send away grown-up children and my argument was that these are children I had picked from the street with no place to call home other than the foundation and kicking them back to the streets would do more harm than good to them,” he said.
Michael Kaggwa, the site supervisor and a councillor representing Ntanzi, expressed deep gratitude to him, noting the persistent issue of street children in urban areas, which is spreading to places like the Katosi landing site near Lake Victoria.
“This facility will not only benefit street children from Kampala but in our areas we still have many needy children who will directly or indirectly benefit from the facility since its new home has been established in our area,” Kaggwa explained
The area chairperson, Godfrey Wasswa Mukooza, also welcomed the project, pledging full support to the Foundation and emphasizing the potential of street children to become responsible citizens.
“We were young when the Africa Foundation started way back in the 1970s and some of the beneficiaries are highly placed in reputable positions, many have travelled abroad and are now back to benefit others still languishing on the streets so we’re optimistic many will be transformed,” he explained.
Sulaiman Kironde, a resident of the area, suggested that the Foundation consider establishing long-term projects to secure its future, especially considering Ssempangi’s advancing age.
“They need to venture into poultry and piggery projects to be able to raise quick money as a basis for the continuity of the foundation in case funders are unable to continue with the support,” he said.
“Secondly, we urge the government to empower our schools in the area since such children will need better education to enable them to transform into better citizens.”
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