By Benedict Mukoni………………………….
For years, Catholic Care for Children in Uganda (CCCU) has led efforts to transition abandoned children from Child Care Institutions (CCIs) back to families or into foster care. However, the situation is more complex at the Home of Mercy, run by the Missionaries of Charity.
Located in Namugongo, the Missionaries of Charity, Home of Mercy, in collaboration with the ARU–CCCU team, hosted the Minister in charge of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo, alongside officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) on March 3, 2026.
The visit followed an invitation facilitated by Principal Probation Officer Shafiq Butanda, after the home raised concerns about the growing number of adults with disabilities who remain in its care without legal recognition.
The engagement aimed to better understand the situation of vulnerable persons with disabilities at the Home of Mercy, discuss legal and administrative challenges affecting the facility, explore possible government support and registration pathways, and identify sustainable solutions for both children and adults.
Currently, the Home of Mercy accommodates 48 residents, six children and 42 adults with disabilities. Many were admitted as children but have remained at the facility for over a decade due to severe disabilities and lack of family support.
According to the home’s social worker, residents are often referrals from the hospitals, police, communities, and institutions such as Naguru Reception Centre (NRC). Many have no known relatives and lack legal identification documents, which limits their access to essential government services.
During the meeting, the sisters highlighted a critical legal gap between childcare services and adult disability care, complicating the registration and regulation of facilities that serve both groups. Sr. Euphrasia Masika, DST, Director of CCCU, raised concern over the increasing number of children with disabilities aging into adulthood within childcare institutions. Ministry officials echoed the need to separate facilities for minors and adults, with each ministry handling approvals under its mandate, and committed to addressing the matter promptly.
Hon. Asamo acknowledged the challenge and commended the Missionaries of Charity for their dedication.
“I want to thank the Sisters for the great work you are doing and for inviting us. It is the responsibility of the government to check on such homes even without being invited,” she noted.
The Minister further recognized the legal gaps affecting institutions supporting persons with disabilities transitioning into adulthood. Key commitments from the visit included government support to register the children’s home, plans to establish a separate facility for adults with disabilities, and coordination to secure national identification documents for residents.
The sisters were also encouraged to tap into government initiatives such as the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities, which provides up to Shs10 million annually to support income-generating activities like weaving, crafts, hospitality, and agriculture. She cited St. Francis Cheshire Home in Soroti as a successful example, where a piggery project funded through the grant has become sustainable.
Officials emphasized the importance of recognizing persons with disabilities not merely as recipients of charity, but as citizens entitled to legal protection and access to social services.
Founded by Mother Teresa, the Missionaries of Charity have served in Uganda since 1988, supporting abandoned children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
