Africa's research center on children opens in Kampala

By Henry Sekanjako

An African research center on children affairs has been launched in Uganda. The center named the Africhild center, a center of excellence for the study of the African child has been established at Makerere University.

The center which was launched Wednesday by gender minister Karooro Okurut at Makerere University is aimed at establishing strong partnership to join evidence with action to promote child well-being in Uganda, East African region and across Africa.

The Africhild center focuses on five key areas which include research, capacity building, advocacy, Partnership and technical backstopping.

“The Africhild center is not just another research institute or NGO, it has been formed to convene diverse groups and form strong partnership from the start that ensure we work together effectively to generate high quality scientific research and knowledge on children,” said Prof. Edward Kirumira.

Kirumira, who is the principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, also chairman Africhild advisory board, said Uganda was chosen to host the Africhild research center due to its robust legal and policy frameworks in the region that relate to the well-being of children.

He noted that Africhild program funded by the USAID is a product of academia, government, civil society and international development agencies.

“Given its positioning in Uganda, and access to a wide range of southern networks, alongside northern ones, the center provides a huge opportunity to facilitate and transfer of research outputs and effective practices across institutions, regions and sectors, added Kirumira.

Launching the center, Gender minister Karooro Okurut commended development partners for the establishment of the center saying it had already begun to provide strong leadership in advancing research and action on children’s issues.

Karooro pledged government’s commitment to support the works of the Africhild center for excellence in research, generating knowledge and building the much needed capacity and action to influence policy and practice supporting the well-being of the African child.

“We need to ensure that this knowledge is used effectively by policy makers and practioners, who need-high quality training and skills to effectively undertake programmes that support children and their families,” she added.

James Kaboggoza, the assistant commissioner children affairs in the ministry of gender said the center would support professional development opportunities for government and NGO staff to improve their ability to conduct research, to interpret and use research findings.

“The center intends to improve child protection and inform policy through a systematic process of convening scientific research, analysis and knowledge development,” he explained.

According to statistics, children comprise of 56% of the country’s population. Uganda has approximately 18 laws that are linked child well-being. Ends.