Masaka Gets New Orphanage

By Eddie SsejjobaThe US ambassador, Martin Brennan has said his government encourages the establishment of more child aid-related projects in Uganda and would want to see many more set up.Brennan was at the launch of Aid Child, an NGO to support orphans founded by an American, Nathaniel Dunigan at Kijjabwemi in Masaka Municipality.The organisation provides a home for the HIV/Aids infected orphans.Brennan said he was happy that a fellow countryman had made a positive impact towards helping the most needy, and said he was impressed by the set up of the home. He said although Aid Child had started in a small way, and was still handling few children who were receiving good care, the founder had inspired many others who should emulate him.“Aid child is bringing peace to the most vulnerable children, the United States encourages such, and I want to see more of these projects set up in Uganda,” he said. He said the role played by the US in assisting Uganda to develop was due to teamwork, intended to bring peace to the world.The TASO country executive director, Dr. Alex Coutinho, said his organisation aids over 72,000 patients with 15,000 hailing from Masaka, which had the second largest centre. Aid Child is in partnership with TASO through a US$100,000 grant to help it develop its capacity.Coutinho said the problem of the over two million orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda required a combined effort. The LC5 chairman, Vincent Ssempijja, asked Aid Child to extend their service to rural areas.Ends