At Ayuru Legacy Hotel in Kiryandongo District, hope filled the room as humanitarian partners, government officials, and community representatives gathered for the launch of the Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC) Project. The initiative, implemented by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) with support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), seeks to restore dignity and hope among children whose lives have been shattered by war and displacement.
Uganda remains home to thousands of refugee children many from South Sudan and neighboring conflict-affected regions. Behind their quiet eyes are stories of loss, separation, and survival. For these children, the CAAC project represents more than humanitarian aid; it is a bridge to healing and a renewed sense of belonging.
“Children affected by armed conflict face trauma, separation, and loss of safety,” said Isabella Epajja, URCS Operations Manager in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. “Through this project, we are working with communities and institutions to rebuild their resilience and restore their sense of security.”
The project will provide psychosocial support, education continuity, and family reunification services to children affected by conflict. It will also strengthen community awareness and protection systems to ensure that no child is left behind.
During the inception meeting, Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner for Youth and Children’s Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, commended URCS for championing a child-centered approach. “This initiative complements the government’s efforts under the National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040,” he said. “Together, we can ensure that children affected by conflict grow up in safety and with opportunities to thrive.”
Participants included representatives from UNHCR, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Uganda Police Child and Family Protection Unit, and foster parents from Kiryandongo Settlement. Each voice in the room echoed a shared commitment to protect, empower, and give children a chance to dream again.
Senior Superintendent of Police Carolyne Kushemererwa, from the Child Protection Unit, highlighted growing concerns over child abuse, defilement, and domestic violence within the settlement.
“We must work hand in hand to protect children from all forms of violence and exploitation. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment,” she emphasized.
The Uganda Red Cross will now roll out the CAAC Project in selected districts starting with Kiryandongo, working closely with community volunteers, local authorities, and humanitarian partners. Beyond addressing immediate needs, the project will help families strengthen coping mechanisms and improve preparedness for humanitarian crises.
For children like Mary (real name withheld), a 12-year-old refugee who fled conflict in South Sudan and now attends school in Kiryandongo, this project offers hope for a future once stolen by war. “I want to be a teacher,” she says softly, her eyes lighting up with a smile. “Now I can go to school every day and feel safe.”
Through initiatives like the CAAC Project, URCS continues to stand with Uganda’s most vulnerable turning pain into possibility and helping young survivors reclaim their childhoods.