By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
Kampala
The Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Dorothy Kisaka, has expressed her concern over the challenges faced by the authority in clearing the city of street children in preparation for the upcoming NAM-G77+ summits. Kisaka attributed these difficulties to interferences that have hindered their efforts which she termed as push and pull factors.
It is estimated that Kampala is home to approximately 15,000 street children between the ages of 7 and 16years. Many of these children, especially those from the Karamoja subregion, have been forced onto the streets due to poverty. Meanwhile, those born in Kampala and its outskirts often find themselves in such circumstances due to domestic violence or the loss of parents.
Despite the challenges faced, the city authorities have made some progress in addressing the issue. Every month, at least 100 children are taken off the streets. Last year, in January, KCCA secured funding of about Shs1.8 billion from The Hilton Foundation in America.
This financial support is aimed at designing and implementing a rescue plan for street children. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address the needs of marginalized and underserved communities, including refugees, across the Kampala Capital City’s five divisions.
John Bosco Bashinyora, the director of gender, community services, and production at KCCA, revealed that the authority has partnered with multiple local civil society organizations to carry out the project. However, the influx of these organizations has reportedly affected the rescue process. Despite these challenges, the KCCA Executive Director remains optimistic about the progress made.
She announced that preparations for the NAM-G77+ summits are nearly complete, with a 98% readiness. The conference, hosted by Uganda and chaired by President Museveni, is scheduled to take place from 15th to 20th January at the Speak Resort Hotel in Munyonyo, Kampala under the theme “Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence.”
Ms. Kisaka emphasized that all road works, drainage, lighting, and painting will be finalized by January 9, 2023, and will be inspected by NAM chairman Lucy Nakyoobe.
However, the removal of street children will be a gradual process, as there are still underlying reasons that need to be addressed. The KCCA recognizes the pull and push factors that contribute to the presence of these children on the streets and acknowledges the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
As the NAM-G77+ summits approach, the authority remains committed to finding lasting solutions to ensure the well-being and safety of street children in Kampala.
