In Mukono Municipality, a Christmas feast turned into a moment of pure joy for street and ghetto children who rarely get a chance to eat a proper meal.
Organised by Mvulana Foundation Uganda, the celebration gave these children a rare taste of festive cheer, complete with good food, new clothes, and music.
For most of them, it was more than just a party, it was the highlight of their year.
“This is the best meal I’ve had all year,” one boy said, smiling as he enjoyed the food. “I’m already looking forward to next Christmas to eat like this again.”
The event wasn’t just about food. It brought hope and warmth to children who face hunger and hardship every day, reminding them that even in tough times, someone cares. The dinner, held on December 19, 2024, to mark the approaching Christmas holiday, stood out as the most memorable meal of the year for these children, many of whom only experience such generosity once annually.
“My Christmas is done; this is the best meal of the year. Now I’m looking forward to next Christmas to eat like this again,” remarked a boy from Gawunye Ghetto.
His statement was met with cheers from his peers. They jubilantly waved their new clothes, gifts from the event, before leaving Mt. Lebanon Church grounds, where the celebration took place.
Eric Yiga, Executive Director of Mvulana Foundation Uganda, explained that the initiative began two years ago after the organisation uncovered the severe hunger faced by ghetto children.
“During our outreach to locate children eligible for education sponsorship, we realised many enter the New Year without having a proper meal,” Yiga said.
“Last year, despite limited resources, we decided to organise an end-of-year party to eat together, collect old clothes for them, and provide entertainment to showcase their hidden talents. Their happiness has inspired us to make this an annual tradition.”
What started as an initiative primarily aimed at boys soon drew in girls, parents, and other residents of ghettos such as Gawunye, Kamwanyi, Bhenghazi, Nasuuti, and Nsuube. The unexpected turnout highlighted the wide-reaching impact of Mvulana Foundation Uganda’s efforts.
“Our core mission is to transform the lives of boys by helping them reunite with their families, leave the streets, and embrace education while steering clear of drugs and idleness,” said Eric Yiga, Executive Director of the foundation.
“However, when it comes to sharing a meal, we opened our doors to everyone, regardless of gender,” he added.
The event’s success was made possible by contributions from Mukono Municipality Deputy RDC Rhondah Tiitwe Kagaaga, businessman Jackson Twinamasiko, former Water Minister Ronald Kibuule, Mt. Lebanon Church, and Coca-Cola, which supplied sodas.
Founded in 2021 and officially registered in 2022, Mvulana Foundation Uganda serves as a guiding light for boys, promoting healthy masculinity through structured programs, mentorship, and support aimed at nurturing responsible future men. Since its inception, the foundation has helped four street children return to school, using modest savings from its members and the generosity of well-wishers.
Among them are twins who once scavenged for plastic bottles in Mukono Central Division to support their unemployed single mother. They are now thriving in Primary Five at Takajjunge Primary School. Another pair of boys, previously found sleeping in sacks of plastic bottles in Kamwanyi Ghetto, have also been reunited with their families.
Despite the challenging circumstances that initially drove them to the streets, the foundation’s commitment to their education persuaded them to stay with their families. Thanks to the generosity of Christopher Miwanda, Director of St. Mary’s Bunyana School, these boys now attend Primary Six and Four respectively, with their tuition fully covered by the school.
The foundation established that several boys surviving alone on streets abandoned their homes due to cases of torture, rampant poverty and parents practicing prostitution at home especially the single mothers who invites clients at their homes.
“When you happen to talk to them, they have not lost hope of being better persons again, what they need is simply a second chance. Those that feel that they are unable to return to school at least are yearning for a skill, the only greatest challenge we have encountered is that no training centers are willing to admit them citing insecurity tendencies developed in places where they stay.” The Foundation Secretary General noted.
He adds that some others are willing to return to school but survive in trenches making it hard to supervise and also monitor their behivours. At the recent Christmas party, minors testified finding ghetto life hard for them especially girls who are defiled for food, failure to eat and as well struggling during rainy season especially in the wee hours.
Pastor Samuel Lwandasa, the Senior Leader for Mt. Lebanon Church has promised to purchase a projected system for the foundation to support outreaches in order to enhance transformation massages among ghetto dwellers. The Foundation is also looking forward to securing a van to strengthen transformation outreaches and also a music system.
Lately, Mike Sseggawa, a resident at Mukono Municipality and the Kassanda Deputy Resident District Commissioner commended Mvulana Foundation management for standing in for the destitute and marginalized people.
“Ghetto dwellers once supported are still able to transform into better persons, what they need is a second chance. Giving is by heart but not possession of wealth, I therefore call upon all good Samaritans without time to directly go on ground to get there through Mvulana Foundation.” He appealed before offering the school fees balance of Shillings 360, 000 which remained unsettled for the twins at Takajjunge Primary School.