Plan International to advance children, girl's rights

At Kamuli regional referral hospital, Richard Elumuka is seated watching over his two children who are in an incubator.

He says they were born before they were mature enough in one of the health centres hence, he was advised to rush them and his wife to Kamuli referral hospital for further care.

At first, he was scared because of the many stories he had heard about the hospital. 

Richard Elumuka with his newborns at Kamuli regional referral hospital.

He claimed that people used to say there was only one incubator that was not operational. Hence, he almost gave up, but the nurse who directed him to the hospital assured him that they had enough incubators.

He rushed them to the facility and upon reaching the hospital, the midwives rushed the babies into the machines that are at the neonatal intensive Unit for the newborn.

"They worked on the baby and them and my wife. It has been five days and the babies are now ok and there is no need for worrying.

“Indeed, the facility is modern with many incubators and also medical workers who handle people well. As a man, I am also comfortable being in the hospital with my wife as we wait for our children to develop,” Elumuka said.

The neonatal facility is one of the many achievements that have been put in place in Busoga region by Plan International Uganda and they are helping thousands in the communities.

During the launch of the organization’s new country strategy recently in Kamuli, Dan Ngobi, the acting Program Area Manager east and central program area PIU, said the 30 years in Uganda have been a success and they are worth celebrating.

First Lady Janet Museveni meeting Plan International staff.

He revealed that PIU has been operating in two areas of sponsorship and programs. 

According to Ngobi, they have impacted communities in areas of education, health, water and sanitation, and livelihood, among others.

“We have built classroom blocks for both early childhood and primary, created play Centre’s, supported with teaching aids, put in place latrines, trained teachers, built boreholes, distributed livelihood materials, supported reproductive health services among others,” he said.

Health facilities have also been constructed, trained VHTs and health workers, and supported child protection prevention and cases.

According to Ngobi, the neonatal intensive care Unit for premature babies is one of the major milestones that is supporting over 50 premature babies per month.

Harriet Ntabazi, the Minister of state for trade who presided over the launch of the new country strategy in Kamuli district on behalf of Rebecca Kadaga, the second deputy prime minister appreciated PIU for supporting Ugandan vulnerable communities.

She revealed that when they started operation in Busoga, the area was behind in many areas which have changed today.

Kibbale Livingstone, the head teacher Bugwenya primary school in Kamuli, said the school never had an ECD Centre hence children below six years would just stay home.

However, PIU put in place an ECD Centre with play materials and today young children have access to early learning.

While meeting PIU team before the official launch, Janet Museveni, the first lady and Minister of Education and Sports appreciated the work done by the organization in its 30 years of existence in Uganda.

“We thank Plan International for coming alongside us to work with the refugees, the host communities, and all children in our country. I pray that God will continue to bless you,” she said.

Plan International has been in Uganda since 1992, focusing on early childhood education, disaster risk management, and sexual and reproductive health programs.

According to Ngobi, their new strategy is to strive for a just world that advances children's rights and equality for girls.

“Our ambition from now to 2027 is to see All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change. Working together we will create a world where all girls know and exercise their rights and live the life they choose,” he emphasized.