By: Caroline Nansukusa. S (Mrs) (ARU–CCCU-Case Management Officer)
Once a childcare residential facility under ARU-CCCU, St. Mugagga Boys Home has reached a long-awaited milestone—one that reflects the shared vision of ARU-CCCU and its partners to promote family-based care and reduce the institutionalization of children.
Formerly home to more than forty boys, St. Mugagga Boys Home has, over the years, steadily traced families and supported the safe reintegration of children into their biological families, kinship care, foster care, and supported independent living arrangements. Today, only two boys remain in the program. Both are under emergency care and are currently being prepared for independent living. As part of the repurposing process, sections of the former childcare facility have now been transformed into a secondary school, an initiative aimed at extending long-term benefits to children and families within the surrounding community and beyond. This achievement marks a successful transition from a traditional childcare institution to a community-based model of care. Sharing this joyful update, the brother in charge, Bro. Nicholas, noted:
“As you are aware of our repurposing program, I am happy to inform you that all parties have come to an agreement, and we are currently working towards opening our secondary school at the St. Mugagga Boys Home premises. We have collaborated with Budini Secondary School, a school within the diocese also headed by the Banakaroli Brothers, to support us by sharing resources as we begin this journey. Starting is not an easy task, and we welcome any support as we move forward.”
For ARU-CCCU, this transition represents the fulfillment of a longheld hope: that children grow up in safe, loving family environments rather than institutional settings, while former childcare facilities are repurposed to serve communities in sustainable and meaningful ways.
Child Care Institutes still need a lot of support to transition into community-based programs, ensuring that more children are protected, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive within families and communities. ARU-CCCU remains prayerful and committed to supporting this initiative. Below are more details about the newly repurposed St. Mugagga, ready for opening come 2026.
