Compassion International Uganda has announced a strategic shift in its operations, phasing out older and underperforming Field Child Programs while expanding its reach into new vulnerable areas. Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe, National Director of Compassion International Uganda, explained that the move aims to maximize impact and better serve children living in some of Uganda’s most disadvantaged communities.
“We are committed to stewarding resources effectively to release as many children as possible from poverty in Jesus’ name. After careful evaluation, we are phasing out older, non-performing programs to redirect support toward areas with greater unmet needs,” Ahimbisibwe said.
Ahimbisibwe made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while addressing the Central and Eastern Partners Consultative Meeting in Kampala. According to the organisation’s broader strategy, Compassion is gradually shifting away from urban areas, cities, and towns, and moving towards far-off and unreached regions with greater needs.
He announced that, effective next year, Compassion will stop assigning additional children to partner churches that have been on board for 15 years and above. However, churches that have been in the program for between 15 and 19 years will be allowed a one-time addition of children.
He added that this strategic expansion will see Compassion extend its reach into regions in the north and north-east, including Karamoja, Acholi, and West Nile. However, he clarified that the organisation is not abandoning the areas it has been serving simply because poverty levels there have reduced. He noted that several other regions remain significantly worse off and are in much greater need of support.
In addition to the northern regions, Compassion has included Kalangala due to the dire needs of children and mothers in the area. The expansion and reallocation have been received as welcome news for regions that have long benefited from Compassion’s support, as well as those set to gain from it.Rt. Rev. Paul Hannington Suubi, Bishop of East Busoga Diocese, an area currently receiving support for vulnerable children and families, expressed deep appreciation for the organisation’s work.
He commended the strategic decision to phase out less effective programs and extend help to new needy areas, describing it as a demonstration of wise stewardship and a continued commitment to the most marginalized communities. The Bishop prayed that the expansion would bring a similar transformation to the new regions.
Meanwhile, Ahimbisibwe noted that in the coming financial year, Compassion Uganda plans to onboard an additional 5,194 children and establish 10 new Field Child Programs (FCPs). Ahimbisibwe added that the organisation is also identifying new areas that will help partner churches secure sustainable sources of funding, especially as the international donor landscape continues to shift.
He further revealed plans to introduce an alumni fund, where former beneficiaries can support the next generation of vulnerable children. “We have touched thousands of lives. Among those we have supported, about 90,000 have gone through school and graduated from universities or vocational institutions. While not all of them are well off, we believe that if at least 40,000 alumni can contribute just 5,000 shillings monthly, we could raise around 2.4 billion shillings per year. This would go a long way in helping many more vulnerable children,” he explained.
Compassion International began its work in Uganda over 43 years ago as part of its global mission, founded in 1952, to release children from poverty through holistic child development in partnership with local churches. In Uganda, the organization currently partners with around 486 churches and has supported over 140,000 children to date. Through church-based programs, Compassion provides holistic support addressing children’s physical, educational, social, and spiritual needs.
This includes nutrition and medical care (especially for mothers and babies via Survival programs), education sponsorship and fees top-ups, hygiene training, disaster response, and leadership development. The organization emphasizes long-term child development through local churches rather than direct aid, aiming to break generational cycles of poverty-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
