Calls for domestic funding to sustain Uganda's child helpline

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As Uganda’s child helpline, Sauti 116, continues to expand its critical services beyond child protection to include gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health support, UN leaders are calling for greater domestic investment to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Established in 2013 with support from UNICEF and UNFPA, Sauti 116 has become the foundation of Uganda’s child protection. 

Operating 24/7, the toll-free emergency number 166 receives 1,500 calls daily on average, managing cases ranging from child labour and neglect, physical and emotional abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking, and online exploitation.



On Tuesday (April 9), Anna Mutavati, the UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized that sustainability should now be a top concern.

This was during a field visit to the Kireka-based call centre, organized as part of the ongoing Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) in Uganda's capital Kampala.

“The services are impressive, but as donor funding becomes more uncertain, there is a need to find ways to sustain and expand it using domestic resources,” said Mutavati. 

“This model must be scaled to reach all parts of Uganda.”

Alison Parker, the UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, echoed the urgency.

“We have seen what UN and government partnership can achieve. But for continued impact, domestic financing will be critical. The investment already made must be protected and decentralized," she said.

The Ugandan government has responded by establishing 146 district action centres (DACs), with 88 currently active through partner support. The centres remain dependent on external funding.

'Scalable model'

John Mugisha, the national coordinator of Sauti 116, said the expansion of services to include GBV and mental health — such as the launch of a psychosocial support chatbot in 2024 — has increased operational demands. Staff require regular training, and partnerships with the Police, health workers, and legal actors must be continually supported.

Lydia Zigomo, the UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, commended the centre’s efficiency, especially its use of digital tools and referral networks. 

“This is a cost-effective, scalable model. It avoids duplicating services and maximizes existing resources, but it needs consistent support to thrive,” she said.

UN and Uganda government officials at the Sauti 116 call centre in Kireka-Kampala. (Credit: Ronnie Kijjambu)

Mondo Kyateka, the Assistant Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs at the gender ministry, called for the inclusion of the helpline in Uganda’s and the UN’s broader joint programme on adolescents and youth.

“We have proven the model works. Behind the data are real children and women. What is needed now is sustainable funding. We must focus on good performance to keep delivering results," he said.

'Vital tool'

On his part, youth and children affairs state minister, Balaam Barugahara, commended donor support to date and expressed hope that government and private sector players will step up to ensure continuity.

As Uganda and its partners strive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on good health and well-being, gender equality, justice, and strong institutions, the Sauti 116 helpline is increasingly seen not as a service but as a national asset that must be preserved through domestic funding.

“The Sauti 116 helpline stands as a vital tool in Uganda’s response to VAC, GBV, and mental health challenges — offering a model of multisectoral collaboration that is making a tangible impact across Uganda,” said Barugahara.