A group of street-connected children is appealing to the public and various organizations for support in reuniting with their families and accessing education to gain essential skills for a brighter future.
Currently, over 54 children, aged between 10 and 22, are stranded at their self-proclaimed Sun City Ghetto hub, located under the Nakivubo channel near Entebbe, close to the new Clock Tower (formerly Saawa ya Queen).
They came from different parts of the country, driven by hope for a better life, but have since encountered challenges from stigma, health, food, and welfare. From Masaka, Bukedea, Ibanda, Soroti, and Moroto, among other parts of the country, meet them at the Sun-City Ghetto hub.
Mathew Ainomugisha, a 10-year-old boy from Ishongoro, Ibanda District in Western Uganda, has been surviving on the streets of Kampala for a year. His father, David Anunda, and mother, Immaculate Kyomuhendo, separated after a domestic dispute, leaving him desperate to reunite with his mother.
With tears in his eyes, Ainomugisha recalls how he ended up in the city. He boarded a bus called ‘Freedom Bus,’ hoping to find his mother, but instead found himself stranded in Kampala. He deeply misses his family and longs to return to Ibanda.
“I have spent one year here on the streets of Kampala. I am looking for my mother, and I want to go back home,” he says, his voice filled with longing and sadness.
Similarly, Enoch Opio, also known as *Tea Bug*, has faced years of hardship. At 19 years old, he comes from Soroti in Eastern Uganda. He lost his father when he was just seven, and life took a drastic turn. His mother, originally from Mbarara, faced conflicts with Opio’s paternal family, which led to her departure, leaving Opio and his younger brother, Robert Tumwine, behind.
“After my father’s death, my uncles took everything—land, cattle, and all our food. They also forced my mother out, leaving me and my brother on our own. I felt abandoned, and from that moment, I knew we had to survive on our own,” Opio recounts.
Nowhere to Turn
With nowhere to turn, Opio began moving from place to place in search of freedom and survival. His journey has been marked by hardship, arrests, and constant uncertainty. He wandered from Soroti to Mbale, hoping to find stability, but nothing changed. Eventually, he ended up in Kampala, where he has been living ever since.
“I have been arrested and remanded several times. But I thank God that one of my uncles took custody of my younger brother, which has given me some relief. I moved from Soroti to Mbale in 2018, then back to Soroti, but when I returned home, there was nothing left. Now, I am truly on my own,” he explains.
Despite his struggles, Opio has found a way to lead a more disciplined life. As the leader of the Sun-City Ghetto community, he encourages other street-connected children to survive through honest means. Unlike other groups that turn to crime for survival, the Sun-City Ghetto children rely on collecting empty plastic bottles and doing casual labor to earn a living.
Their stories are just a glimpse into the harsh reality faced by many children who should be in school and under the care of their families. Instead, they are left to fend for themselves, navigating the dangers of street life with little hope of finding a way back home.
These children’s experiences highlight the urgent need for support and intervention to reunite them with their families, provide them with education, and give them the chance for a better future.
The Call for Support: BSCS Extends a Helping Hand to Street-Connected Children
The Bravo Shoes Community Support (BSCS) team, led by Executive Director Yesigye Brain Bravo, recently visited the Sun City Ghetto children, engaging with them to understand their challenges and aspirations.
BSCS is committed to creating a secure and supportive environment where every child can thrive.
The organization advocates for children’s rights, amplifies their voices, and collaborates with the government to prevent unnecessary family separations. By working hand in hand with street-connected children, BSCS seeks to empower them and provide opportunities for a better future.
To achieve this, BSCS has initiated several projects focused on addressing the critical needs of these children. Their most pressing concerns include access to education, business startup support, healthcare, ethical guidance, and skills training. However, meeting these needs requires collective effort and financial support from well-wishers, organizations, and government institutions.
“One of our key strategic objectives goes beyond education. We are committed to advocating for the overall well-being of children, including addressing issues of malnutrition and food security and the promotion of their fundamental rights. Every child deserves a decent meal, access to nutritious food, and a balanced diet,” said Yesigye Brain Bravo.
BSCS believes that by equipping these children with essential skills and resources, they can break free from the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.
The organization continues to call upon individuals, corporate entities, and humanitarian groups to extend a helping hand in transforming the lives of street-connected children. Through collaboration and compassion, these children can regain hope, reunite with their families, and pursue meaningful opportunities for growth and development.
