Nakivale, Isingiro District — The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, on Thursday launched the Church’s annual Children’s Focus Month with a pastoral visit to Nakivale Refugee Settlement, one of Africa’s largest refugee communities.
The Archbishop led a special service at Kashojwa Church of Uganda within the settlement, placing children at the centre of the day’s ministry. He was accompanied by the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon William Ongeng; Ankole Diocese Bishop’s Commissary, Rev. Canon Nathan Bobs Mwesigye; Director of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), Rev. Agaba Andrew; Ankole Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Canon Edison Abaasa; and the Provincial Youth and Students Coordinator, Rev. Richard Rukundo, among other clergy.
Archbishop Kaziimba reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children, noting that Children’s Focus Month—observed every November across all 39 dioceses—exists to demonstrate love, offer hope, and advocate for children’s holistic wellbeing. This year’s theme, “Doing Good for Children”, is drawn from the Provincial Theme for 2025: “Imitating God’s goodness by doing good.”
He said Uganda, which now hosts more than 1.8 million refugees, carries both a moral and spiritual responsibility to show compassion to the youngest victims of conflict.
“Nakivale is home to tens of thousands of children whose dreams have been disrupted by war and displacement,” he said, condemning conflicts driven by what he called “selfish interests.”
“War is the only place where young people who do not know each other, do not hate each other, fight each other because of old people who know each other but cannot fight each other—yet later meet, shake hands, and celebrate together,” he said.
Relief Support Delivered to Over 1,000 Children
During the visit, Archbishop Kaziimba delivered a large consignment of relief items for children in the settlement. According to Provincial Secretary Rev. Canon Ongeng, the items included posho, beans, matooke, clothing, bedding, sugar, diapers, and assorted hygiene supplies. The support is expected to reach more than 1,000 children aged 0 to 17.
Church of Uganda, through its Directorate of Household and Community Transformation and partners under the ACT Alliance, has been active in Nakivale since July 2024. Its interventions—ranging from food and non-food relief to trauma counselling, psychosocial support, gender-based violence prevention, education initiatives, peacebuilding, and spiritual care—have so far reached more than 3,000 refugees.
Partners Commend Church Efforts
Titus Jogo, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Refugee Desk Officer for Mbarara, praised the Archbishop’s visit, saying Uganda’s open-door policy is strengthened by local partnerships.
“This spiritual reward brought by the Archbishop’s visit is far greater than the food we provide,” he noted.
Fatoumata Dioulde Diallo, Senior Protection Officer for Mbarara representing UNHCR, acknowledged ongoing challenges caused by global funding cuts but reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to refugee protection in Uganda.
Call for Greater Support and National Collaboration
Archbishop Kaziimba appealed for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society, development partners, and Christian communities to ensure children remain a priority in national programming. He encouraged Ugandans of goodwill to donate food, sanitary materials, scholastic items, and home essentials to support refugee families.
Earlier in the day, the Archbishop addressed the Western Uganda Bishops and Spouses Fellowship in Mbarara City, where he commended bishops for championing peace, love, and reconciliation in their dioceses.
Children’s Focus Month continues throughout November, with activities coordinated by diocesan and parish children’s ministries aimed at nurturing children in Christian values, promoting protection, and empowering families and communities.
