By Mike Rwothomio
ZOMBO
Paidha Black Angels SC, a community-based football club competing in the FUFA Big League, has donated cash and essential household items valued at UGX 1 million to support vulnerable children facing difficult living conditions in Zombo District.
The items, which include bars of soap, cooking oil, sugar and other materials, will be distributed through Haven for Humanity-Uganda, a charitable organisation based in Paidha Town Council that delivers integrated social services to at-risk community members.
The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at Chill Out Lounge.
Club vice-chairperson, Jerry Adebo explained that Buhimba Saints FC had “set charity work as a condition for the release of three players, Lucas Mola Mane, Kyomuhendo Charles and Muber Erick to Paidha Black Angels”
Adebo said the club mobilised resources to meet the requirement and commended Haven for Humanity-Uganda for embracing the partnership, adding that the club intends to collaborate with the organisation on an ongoing basis.
Club chairperson, Kenneth Owacgiu described the donation as a reflection of the “club’s longstanding community-based approach”.
He urged other football clubs and organisations to join similar initiatives aimed at improving children’s welfare and saving lives.
Fans’ chairperson, Julius Jacan also called for broader public support for such social outreach efforts.
Founded in 1979 in Paidha, Zombo District, Paidha Black Angels SC began as a grassroots initiative by local youths, ex-servicemen, businessmen and community members seeking to develop football talent in the West Nile region.
The club, nicknamed “the Blacks,” is one of the oldest continuously active sides from West Nile still competing in Uganda’s top three football tiers.
It has built one of the strongest fan bases in Ugandan football, sustained largely by community members and supporters rather than consistent corporate sponsorship.
The FUFA Big League season is scheduled to begin on 27 September 2026.
Haven for Humanity-Uganda employs a holistic, participatory approach to social service delivery. The organisation works with Village Health Teams (VHTs) to conduct outreach in areas including Abanga, Athuma, Paidha Town Council and Paidha Sub-County.
Its services encompass case identification, medical treatment, nutritional supplementation, home-based care, hygiene education and training in sustainable meal preparation.
Social worker, Mercy Wanguic from Haven for Humanity welcomed the contribution, stating that the organisation would identify vulnerable children through health facilities and local leaders, including VHTs, to ensure the items reach those most in need.
The intervention addresses a significant public health challenge in the district, where a 2025 data from Haven for Humanity indicate that 35% of children aged 0–5 are affected by malnutrition.
This aligns with Uganda’s 2025 Global Hunger Index score of 20.2, signalling a serious hunger situation, and a national child stunting prevalence of 21%.
UNICEF reports that 2.4 million Ugandan children are stunted, with lasting developmental consequences, while anaemia affects half of children under five and one-quarter of women of childbearing age.
Since its establishment in 2021, Haven for Humanity-Uganda has supported 721 malnourished children and engaged more than 7,000 community members through integrated programmes covering health and nutrition, economic empowerment and psychosocial support.
Longer-term strategies focus on socioeconomic empowerment and household food security, including seedling distribution for kitchen gardens.
Sam Kumakech, Alur Kingdom’s Director for Sports, Youth and Information, has previously praised the organisation’s work and called for expanded partnerships to tackle malnutrition.
Haven for Humanity-Uganda continues to appeal for community and stakeholder support to close funding gaps and sustain critical social services for vulnerable children and families in the region.
