By Delux Emmy Alomu
TESO
At least 22 former Street children from Soroti City, who have been part of a rehabilitation program for one year, have successfully been resettled and reunited with their families in their respective villages across the Teso, Karamoja, Lango, and Bugisu sub-regions.
The Teso Children’s Development Foundation (TECDEFO), also known as Freedom Boys, collaborated with Soroti City authorities to rescue these children. They were taken to a rehabilitation and resocialization facility at the Children’s home in the West Division before returning to their communities.
This year, most of the rehabilitated children came from Amuria district, whereas Kalaki district was the leading source in 2024. Among the 22 children, four were girls and 18 were boys.
During their rehabilitation, these children received counseling and guidance, along with technical skills training. Some of them also resumed their education, progressing from primary through secondary school levels.
Denis Okwera, the Foundation Director, shared that they initially selected 25 street children for the program, following the pattern established since 2018, but three returned to the streets as not all children desire to stay in the Freedom House.
He explained that those resettled were provided with necessities such as food, bedding, and toolkits related to the technical skills they chose, which included tailoring, mechanics, welding, and carpentry. Out of the boys, 11 learned motorcycle repair, two pursued carpentry, while others entered formal education.
“We returned them home with tailoring machines, toolboxes for mechanics, mattresses, bags, posho, beans, bed sheets, and shoes, among other essentials. We also supply food to support them for one or two months, helping them transition back into village life, as it’s often tough for them to adjust,” Okwera noted.
The organization faces an increasing number of vulnerable minors due to broken families stemming from gender-based violence, poverty, and neglect, which continue to push children onto the streets.
The foundation’s program revolves around four key pillars: rescue, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and resettle. However, Okwera highlights that reintegration remains the most persistent challenge. He points out that some families are unwilling to welcome back the children or refuse to accept responsibility for them after reintegration training.
“Parents sometimes say, ‘Your child has done this,’ as if the child does not belong to them,” he explained. “We prepare the children for community acceptance, but some families still struggle.”
The foundation maintains close cooperation with local councils, clan leaders, church leaders, and community leaders to oversee the reintegrated children. Unfortunately, many children return to the streets due to domestic violence, neglect, substance abuse, or crippling poverty. Some escape from abusive environments, while others flee when their guardians misuse the support intended to help stabilize their households.
Soroti City is facing a significant challenge, with over 180 street children, which is more than three times the annual intake capacity of local centers. New cases are emerging almost every week, driven by factors such as escalating poverty, parental separation, family land disputes, and the ongoing migration of people from rural areas to urban centers.
“Our current capacity is limited to 25 children per year, yet the numbers continue to rise,” shared Okwera. “We urgently need more partners, additional resources, and more organizations willing to engage in this vital work.”
Officials from TECDEFO have emphasized the importance of families taking time to instill strong morals and discipline in their children. They encourage parents to teach their children how to pray and to participate in daily prayers, as well as to involve them in church activities.
Jacob Eisu, an official from TECDEFO, mentioned that the organization will conduct follow-ups to ensure that the children are effectively utilizing the technical skills they have acquired to improve their lives at home.
Families have also been cautioned against selling off the resettlement packages, with the exception of food, which should be shared among all family members.
Simon Okure, LC2 Chairperson Senior Quarters in Soroti City, pointed out that many of these children end up on the streets due to being orphans or facing severe familial challenges. He urged them to focus on the technical courses offered, rather than reverting to life on the streets.
The Uganda Defense Council’s threat assessment conducted about two years ago revealed 195 threats, including four of a military nature, while the majority—stemming from issues like family breakdowns affecting street children—require urgent attention through the empowerment of both girls and boys.
Musa Oroma, the Soroti Assistant Resident City Commissioner, emphasized that the growing crisis of street children has escalated into a national security issue, urging families to address their challenges while calling for collaborative efforts to support all children, irrespective of gender, to prevent further issues.
“Street children are not merely a concern for Soroti or Teso; this is a national crisis that we must address swiftly and effectively,” he emphasized, commending TECDEFO for taking on “a challenge that many would shy away from.”
Oroma attributed the issue to increasing family instability, poor parenting, and a lack of focus on empowering boys.
“As we support girls, let’s not lose sight of the boys. The future leaders of families are formed today,” he asserted.
He urged relatives of orphans to treat the children of their deceased loved ones with the same care and support they would give their own, emphasizing, “Don’t let them suffer while your own children thrive.”
Oroma called on clan leaders to engage in resolving community issues to prevent family breakdowns that lead to more street children.
“Addressing children’s issues is a shared responsibility,” he noted.
The Assistant RCC also appealed to local councils to facilitate family conflict resolutions and urged all stakeholders to join forces to keep children off the streets.
He announced that government agencies would start profiling rehabilitated children to ensure they can access national programs, including the Parish Development Model and vocational training hubs or opportunities in the military, police, or prisons once they turn 18.
“These children must have access to every available government initiative. Let’s maintain their profiles for follow-up,” he stated.
He shared a success story from Serere, where a former street child now excels as a leading bread producer after benefiting from vocational training in the presidential skilling program.
Oroma encouraged TECDEFO to provide exposure opportunities for these children in media houses, factories, hotels, and universities, suggesting that such settings can significantly shape their aspirations.
In heartfelt interviews, the teenagers shared a deep sense of gratitude for being rescued, rehabilitated, and reunited with their families.
Sixteen-year-old Michael Ebulu from Morungatuny Sub County in Amuria District expressed his excitement about returning home. He shared his ambition to join the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in the future, driven by his desire to help secure the safety of his country.
Julius Ebulu, also 16 and from Tubur Sub County in Soroti District, expressed relief at being back home. He promised to assist his parents with household chores, stay away from drugs, pray regularly, and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. He declared that he would never return to the streets, having faced severe hardships there.
Joseph Ereu, a 19-year-old from Awaliwal Sub County in Soroti District, reflected on his training in mechanics after being rescued. He believes that the toolbox he received will open doors for his future and help him earn a living.
“I want to open my own garage and become well-known,” he stated confidently.
Brian Ewangu, who lives in Olijai village in Abia Sub County, shared how he dropped out of school in P.6 due to poverty and his parents’ separation, leading him to the streets. Now living with his aunt, he expressed gratitude for being home and pledged to work hard, respect his parents, and follow their advice by repairing motorcycles daily.
Nicholas Opio, who went by the name Allan Opio while on the streets, admitted to stealing Shs 8 million for clothes for Independence Celebrations — a decision that landed him on the streets. At 15, he vowed to turn away from such indiscipline and make better choices moving forward.
Parents were overjoyed to have their children return home after years on the streets, with Christine Idemu from Agonga village joyfully exclaiming, “God has brought back my lost child Julius Ebulu, 16,” and expressing her gratitude to TECDEFO for the miracle.
Richard Adolu from Otatai Village in Amuria district revealed that his fourth child, Michael Ebulu, went missing when he was grazing animals but was later found in Soroti, and despite not understanding why he left, Adolu expressed joy over his return and a commitment to continue his education in P.6, valuing schooling alongside his skills in motorcycle repair. He was a bright boy who scored position number five in primary six.
Martha Ikwaru, a resident of Abia sub-county in Amuria, expressed her gratitude upon receiving Ewangu back home, vowing to care for him as her own.
Peter Ebulu, the chairperson of the Irarak Imunai clan in the Otuboi zone of Abia sub-county, shared that domestic violence has caused rifts within families.
Despite their ongoing efforts to encourage children to stay at home, they are actively exploring opportunities for skills training to help them build a better future.
In Apopong village, Kapelebyong sub-county, Charles Itelait recounted how his son, Allan Opio, fled after stealing 8 million shillings. While initially hesitant to accept him back, he was advised to welcome him but emphasized that theft cannot be tolerated. This was the second incident involving theft, and the money was intended for his children’s education. He made it clear that he would only take him back if there was genuine reform.
Peter Ebulu reiterated the commitment of the Irarak Imolai clan in Olijai village, Abia sub-county, to foster positive change among the youth, encouraging their contribution to society.
Simon Peter Ocen, clan chief of Ingiroi-Imalera in Kapelebyong district, highlighted the importance of parental prayers for their children’s well-being.
Peter Opio, a parent from Kokorio village in Amero parish, Acowa sub-county, Kapelebyong district, praised President Museveni’s government for creating a supportive environment for NGOs, allowing them to operate freely and assist communities.
Since 2018, the TECDEFO has successfully rehabilitated a total of 250 street children, providing them with renewed hope and opportunities for a brighter future.
Relatedly, the foundation has introduced a new initiative to train single mothers in tailoring skills.
This program was established in response to the growing concern that single-parent households and poverty are contributing to an increase in the number of children in need.
In the first year of the program, six single mothers were engaged in a six-month training course, but only two completed and they were provided with sewing machines to help them start their own businesses.
Eunice Apecho, a vulnerable girl in Soroti City, expressed gratitude to TECDEFO for helping her develop tailoring skills that will provide financial support, while Brenda Amongin, a 26-year-old orphan from Apapai sub-county in Kalaki district, described the challenges of being a teenage mother and credited TECDEFO with equipping her with the skills to care for her baby and empower others.
Founded in 2009, TECDEFO is a faith-based, non-profit organization focused on supporting children who have suffered abuse, neglect, and abandonment in the Northern, Eastern, and Karamoja regions of Uganda. Their work addresses the urgent issue of children living on urban streets, aiming to foster better human growth and development.
