AFRICHILD MONTHLY MONITOR - APRIL

AfriChild Centre participated in the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), held from 7–11 April 2025 in Maseru, Lesotho. Executive Director Mr. Timothy Opobo and Director of Research and Knowledge Development Ms. Clare Ahabwe Bangirana represented AfriChild, engaging with regional actors on policy, implementation, and research. As an accredited observer, AfriChild delivered a statement highlighting the need for increased financing for child protection interventions across the region - given that a mere 0.01% of national budgets on the continent is allocated to child protection services. Mr. Opobo also presented on strengthening child protection systems through research translation. Our participation reaffirmed AfriChild’s commitment to advancing Uganda’s child rights agenda within regional platforms.

In April, we convened for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) — a critical opportunity to reflect on the collective impact of our work, draw key lessons, and chart a course for the future. The meeting brought together valuable perspectives from our Board, partners, and staff, all reaffirming a shared commitment to protecting and promoting the rights and wellbeing of children in the region.

The insights gained and the renewed energy from the AGM are now driving our operational and strategic direction. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in ensuring that children's rights, safety, and development are at the heart of every decision we make. This alignment not only sharpens our focus and strengthens our accountability, but also positions AfriChild for sustainable and measurable impact in the years ahead.

OUR RESEARCH WORK

In partnership with UNICEF Uganda, the Centre presented preliminary findings from the Violence Against Children in Schools (VACiS) baseline study in Karamoja sub-region. During this validation workshop held in Soroti District. Findings were deeply concerning with 74% of primary school learners reported experiencing violence, with boys facing more physical abuse and girls more emotional and sexual violence. Alarmingly, 1 in 5 children reported sexual violence at school, most of which goes unreported. Despite bans on corporal punishment, harmful practices persist due to weak enforcement. The VACiS study provides critical evidence to strengthen safeguarding systems, and AfriChild is working to integrate these insights into school programs and community engagement efforts.

As part of the Participatory Intervention Development Research Project, AfriChild, alongside partners Nascent, Straight Talk Foundation, Kawuwo, Ayodo, Rural Resilience, and GARD, launched a week-long training for research assistants in Moroto District, with support from The Freedom Fund. The training equipped field teams with skills to conduct ethical, child-sensitive qualitative research, focusing on child exploitation and participatory methods that amplify children's voices. We also oriented members of the newly formed Youth Advisory Committee to ensure meaningful youth engagement throughout the research. Additionally, pretesting of data collection tools in Kambizi and Natumkaskou villages helped refine the tools for cultural relevance and ethical standards. These activities lay the foundation for a participatory, evidence-driven approach to tackling child exploitation in the region.

As part of our commitment to accountability and learning, AfriChild joined partners International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Kabarole Research Centre (KRC Uganda), along with local leaders, for a joint monitoring visit to Kyaka II Refugee Settlement in Kyegegwa District. The team reviewed progress on the Kulea Watoto project, which integrates early childhood development and livelihoods support to strengthen family resilience.

The visit highlighted promising initiatives like seed fund projects that enable ECD centres to run income-generating activities. Interactions with community groups affirmed the impact of integrated programming—showing that when caregivers are economically empowered, children benefit through improved learning and well-being.

This month, The AfriChild Centre, in collaboration with The Remnant Generation, shared findings from an implementation research study exploring effective approaches to prevent and respond to childhood sexual violence in resource-limited settings. The study focused on the 3RT Model—Rescue, Restore, Repurpose, and Thrive—which has shown early success in supporting teen mothers by restoring dignity and fostering long-term transformation. The dissemination featured a powerful skit based on real-life experiences of survivors and perpetrators, prompting thoughtful dialogue among attendees. A second session is scheduled to further engage community members and key stakeholders.

STAKEHOLDER AND EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENTS

As part of national efforts to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), AfriChild participated in the National Expert Review Meeting on ECCE Policy Standards and Guidelines, held in Jinja. Convened by the Ministry of Education’s Basic Education and Policy & Research departments, the meeting brought together technical experts and stakeholders to review and refine national ECCE frameworks. Discussions focused on aligning policy standards with on-the-ground realities, with the goal of ensuring quality early learning opportunities for all children across Uganda.

The Centre participated in a 3-day consultative workshop to review the 2008 National Child Participation Guidelines. Organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), the workshop brought together key stakeholders to collaboratively refine the draft guidelines and explore sustainable structures for child participation across the country. The sessions included presentations, focus group discussions, plenaries, and key informant interviews—all designed to make child participation more meaningful, inclusive, and institutionalized.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Our Research Officer, Ms. Linda Kairaba, was part of the training of Practitioners in Designing, Adapting, and Implementing Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions, organized by the Child Health and Development Centre at Makerere University. The intensive course equipped participants with practical tools for tailoring and evaluating parenting programmes. Linda shared insights on culturally responsive adaptation and rigorous monitoring frameworks, which will inform our upcoming initiatives. The group also completed two additional modules, further strengthening our capacity to design evidence-based parenting programs.

AfriChild Centre staff including Clare Bangirana, Jude Omondi, Alex Alinaitwe, and Linda Kairaba participated in the East African Parenting Cluster Learning Convening, hosted by the Impact and Innovations Development Centre and facilitated by The Prevention Collaborative. Through sessions on power dynamics, gender roles, and violence prevention, our team gained practical tools to support safer, more equitable family environments. These learnings will enhance our program design and community engagement, advancing efforts to build resilient households.

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Sara Stemmler

Trevor Atwine

The AfriChild Centre is delighted to welcome Sara Stemmler and Trevor Atwine to the team as interns. Sara is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with degrees in Political Science, French Language & Literature, and Statistics. She is currently completing her English Teaching Assistantship as part of the Fulbright Program. Trevor, a Cyber Security graduate from ISBAT University, has already proven to be an invaluable asset to our IT department. We also took a moment to celebrate March and April staff birthdays, honoring their valuable contributions to the AfriChild mission.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Makerere University’s Department of Social Work, in collaboration with the East African Social Work Regional Resource Centre (EASWRRC) and the Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa (ASSWA), will host an International Conference on Social Work and Social Development from 16th to 18th June 2025.

Read more: resilient.uia.no