Omoro residents relish new five-year strategy to transform child welfare

______________

Omoro District and World Vision have signed a landmark 2026–2030 strategic agreement to combat systemic child vulnerability.

At the centre of this is a family-centred approach that integrates healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. 

This partnership marks a critical shift towards household self-sufficiency, aiming to reverse deep-seated poverty and health crises that have historically hindered the development of children across the Acholi sub-region.

Stakeholders met on Friday at the Kolstar Hotel in Omoro district over this deal.

There was a general sense of agreement that child welfare in Acholi remains a serious and complex challenge, largely defined by the intersection of deep-seated poverty and the lingering effects of historical conflict.

Data indicate that over 70 percent of children in the sub-region live in multidimensional poverty. 

This economic strain, stakeholders said, serves as a primary driver for hazardous child labour and food insecurity.

Health indicators are also concerning. Acholi records some of the highest stillbirth and infant mortality rates in Uganda, due to poor maternal care and limited access to rural medical facilities.

Protection risks such as teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and the social stigma faced by children born in war continue to stall progress.

'More secure future'

While regional initiatives have made strides in trauma healing and vocational training, the persistent scale of abuse and neglect confirms that child welfare remains a critical strategic priority for both local and national stakeholders.

To address these issues, the new roadmap prioritises livelihoods and resilience.

“We have been able to distribute 250 goats to different households. We know this will transform the lives of those children,” said David Ssenyimba, World Vision manager for the Acholi region.

He said the strategy is built on the foundation of home-based stability.

“We are supporting the children through their parents with integrated programmes tailored to suit their welfare.”

Local parents have already noted the impact.

"The distribution of goats gives us a way to earn and take care of our children's school fees ourselves. It makes the future feel more secure," said Mary Okema. 

Local leader Christine Akello weighed in: "Empowering parents to provide for their own children restores our dignity and ensures that the support doesn't disappear the moment a programme ends."

The five-year strategy also tackles healthcare barriers and sanitation.

"Bringing medicine and nutrition support closer to our homes means our children won't have to suffer just because we live far from a big hospital," said Martin Oyat, a community health advocate.

With the Lalogi-Lakwana programme extended until 2031, this long-term commitment ensures that improvements in health, WASH programmes, and educational outcomes become a permanent reality for the families of Omoro.