By: Caroline Nansukusa – Case Management Officer (ARU–CCCU)
Catholic Care for Children and Child Safeguarding Commit- The visits were conducted at the Uganda (CCCU), a program tees. Emphasis was placed on safe- Generalate or Mother Houses under the Association of the guarding as a shared responsibility of the respective Institutes and Religious in Uganda (ARU), contin- and a global obligation for all insti- brought together key council leadues to build a strong culture of child tutions and programs working with ers responsible for formation, edsafety among Member Institutes children. In total, thirteen (13) Re- ucation, health, administration, implementing child programming. ligious Institutes hosting Child Care and childcare services. By engaging leadership at the highest level, Institutions and Programs under
From June to December 2025, ARU- ARU-CCCU were reached through ARU-CCCU ensured that safeguardCCCU team deliberately set aside this process. ing principles are fully embraced time within its activity calendar to visit Religious Institutes across the country. The purpose of these visits was to deepen institutional commitment to child safeguarding and to ensure that all entities working with children adopt safe, accountable, and child-centered practices.
The engagements focused on orienting Institute Leadership Councils on the importance of having functional Child Safeguarding Policies and Child Safeguarding Committees. Emphasis was placed on safeguarding as a shared responsibility and a global obligation for all institutions and programs working with children. In total, thirteen (13) Religious Institutes hosting Child Care Institutions and Programs under ARU-CCCU were reached through this process.
The visits were conducted at the Generalate or Mother Houses of the respective Institutes and brought together key council leaders responsible for formation, education, health, administration, and childcare services. By engaging leadership at the highest level,
ARU-CCCU ensured that safeguarding principles are fully embracedand cascaded to all facilities under each Institute’s care, reflecting the ARU spirit of partnership and solidarity in its motto: “We are no longer strangers but friends.”
The Leadership members were also supported with draft guidance documents such as the ARU Child Safeguarding Policy and the draft Child Safeguarding-7 standards Implementation Plan, to customize, enabling them to operationalize the Seven Child Safeguarding Standards developed by Keeping Children Safe (KCS) International-a globally recognized alliance whose standards are adopted as well by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and many faith-based and humanitarian organizations. All Institutes were guided to ensure that these standards are fully integrated into their safeguarding policies and aligned with the approved ARU Child Safeguarding Policy.
A particularly motivating highlight of the engagements was the assurance that institutions which successfully implement the Seven Standards are eligible for national and international certification as Child-Safe Entities through Keeping Children Safe. This recognition not only affirms compliance but also strengthens institutional credibility and accountability.
As ARU-CCCU looks ahead to 2026, the shared goal remains to see ARU and all its member Institutes certified as Child-Safe Entities, ensuring that every child is protected, respected, and nurtured within safe and supportive environments.
