By Benedict Mukoni…………………
Catholic Care for Children in Uganda (CCCU), a program under the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), successfully conducted two intensive workshops aimed at strengthening compliance, accountability, and professional practice within Uganda’s residential childcare sector.
Held in February 2026 at the ARU Secretariat, the trainings brought together 19 Child Care Institution (CCI) Administrators and 21 Social Workers representing 19 institutions. Each group participated in three days of structured learning, two days dedicated to the proper application of the updated government-approved toolkits for separated children, followed by one day of orientation on the integrated digital Data Management System where the tools are embedded.
The workshops focused on improving documentation, case management procedures, safeguarding standards, and alignment with the national alternative care framework. Facilitators from the Ministry and ARU-CCCU guided participants through the legal foundation of the updated toolkits and provided hands-on training in digital data entry, secure storage, and reporting.
The workshops ran under the theme “Strengthening Quality Care through Proper Application of the Updated MGLSD Toolkits for Separated Children and Effective Data Management Systems,” the sessions emphasized the integration of policy compliance, safeguarding, and professional documentation with modern digital systems.
The participants were targeted because they are responsible for oversight, supervision, compliance, and institutional accountability. Social Workers are directly responsible for case management, documentation, family tracing, reintegration planning, and follow-up.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, raising practical challenges such as transitioning from previous documentation formats, managing heavy workloads, and adapting to digital systems. Facilitators responded with practical demonstrations, technical guidance, and commitments to ongoing mentorship and support.
The case manager, ARU-CCCU, Ms. Caroline Nansukusa, described the training as timely, emphasizing the need for institutions to align with updated national standards and strengthen digital accountability. Participants returned to their respective organizations equipped to improve supervision, documentation, reintegration planning, and secure record management—steps expected to enhance the quality, transparency, and dignity of care provided to separated children.
