Dear Supporters and Partners,
We hope and pray that you and your families are well. There is a lot going on in the world right now and we are sorry that we have not updated you earlier on how KHC is managing in an increasingly different world.
You may be aware with the change in the USA Government many organisations were impacted by the dramatic changes made to USAID overseas funding, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding which has been drastically reduced. The impact has been far-reaching, particularly for many not-for-profit organisations like us who relied on this funding to supplement free medical services to the most vulnerable people in their communities.
How has KHC been impacted? Kawempe Home Care Management and Board had to make the heartbreaking decision of letting many of the staff go. Most of our staff have been with KHC for many years and have contributed enormously to the quality of care and the amazing reputation that the organisation has built over the years.
The funding for HIV & TB services has been reduced by 50% with further cuts expected in the near future. However, our Ministry of Health has continued to provide the medicines for HIV and TB.
The level of staffing and funding has an impact on the services we can continue to provide. The community health programs for the population most at risk of acquiring HIV have stopped as well as community outreaches, and home visits to those patients who cannot go to the clinic. Reduced access to HIV & TB testing, with many patients not being able to be followed up. Maintaining stock levels for medical and laboratory supplies is also a challenge.
The school fees program, 63 children who are orphaned or vulnerable, are supported by international donors. KHC is extremely grateful that the sponsors continue to support these children’s education in such difficult times. However, there were 34 children on the Infectious Diseases Institute funded programs that incorporated school fees support, these children were unable to continue their schooling this year.
The New Hope Children’s Hostel (NHCH), which supports children with cancer from poor rural families to access treatment, is still operating with funding for operational costs provided through Masana wa Afrika- ELMA Foundation. Late in 2024, KHC received notice that the owner of the hostel rental premises wanted to sell. So, KHC began fundraising. It was an ambitious goal to raise funds to secure a permanent home for these children BUT we did it! The hostel now has a strong future to continue this very important service.
KHC is actively looking for new partners to fund our programs so if you have any contacts that are supporting projects like ours, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah: skomugisha@kawempehomecare.org
It is very worrying that without the services of free medical clinics like KHC supporting the vulnerable people, there will be a human cost.
Some Good News
March New Board Members & ED Appointed
At the Board meeting in March a new Chairperson was elected, Ms. Fatia Kiyange. She is currently the Executive Director at Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD). Ms Kiyange has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of program development, leadership and management in the health and social justice sectors at the national, regional and global level. KHC Management welcomes her to the Board and looks forward to working with the Board. We also welcomed 3 new board members who each bring a wealth of experience:
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 Founder’s Representative |
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KHC is extremely grateful for the contribution of the outgoing Chaiman, Dr Victor Musiime, who was on the Kawempe Home Care Board for the past 6 years and his experience particularly with children who are HIV-infected, provided valuable advice to our clinical teams. We also appreciate the support of the outgoing members for the support and expertise that they provided during their time on the Board.
Executive Director
Mr. Gerever Niwagaba, who is one of the founding members of KHC, took over the reins of the organisation during Dr Guma’s illness. In March he was appointed by the Board as the permanent Executive Director and his experience has provided stability to the organisation.
Welcome to the new home for the New Hope Children 
The children and their caregivers moved into the new home at the end of July. There is more space and area for the children to play in a safe environment. And it is very close to KHC medical facility. Thank you so much to everyone who made it possible. We were overwhelmed with the response and generosity from the local communities and our international friends. Some of our key contributors were: Beyond Borders Medical Foundation (BBMF), Samaritan, The Guma Family, Apar Foundation, Uganda Cancer Society, Rays of Hope Jinja, Rotary Club of Mahaba, APCA, CADAC, Lt. Dr. Anne Mariman (Hospice Africa Uganda), NIEM Establishments, Manjit Kuiar, Maria Kibera, Lee Apasha Fischer & Dell Mabunda, Elisabeth Unterberger & Harald Rettner, Apar Foundation (Shanta Patel), Ampaire Denis, Dr.Aloysius Byaruhanga, Innocent Karabereme, Kenneth Davies and Rtn. Miria Khainza.
Through your prayers and generosity, you made it happen, and it means that we can continue into the future to help these children and make a real difference to the lives of these children.
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Special Acknowledgement: Beyond Borders Medical Foundation (BBMF). Through their remarkable generosity and compassion, ensured that we were able to reach our goal and purchase a permanent home for the New Hope Children’s Hostel. BBMF was founded in Jinja and is committed to delivering life-saving medical care to underserved communities across Uganda. The late Dr. Brian Snyder and his wife Maren were longtime supporters of KHC. In 2024, when we first launched the campaign to raise funds to buy a permanent home they were there for us and were instrumental in helping us achieve our goal. The Snyder’s personal tragedy of losing a child to cancer and their unwavering faith is serving others, is an inspiration to us all.
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We are still undergoing renovations and our priorities are; additional toilets as we have over 60 people staying at any one time; a sustainable food supply as we currently rely on the generosity of local groups to provide when they can; outdoor play equipment. On our wish list is to have solar panels installed so that not only do we retain electricity supply during power outages, but it would reduce the cost of the electricity bill and tapping, digging for underground water supply to reduce on the water bills as well. The strategic focus for the hostel in the future is to:
- Expand palliative care and therapeutic programs
- Increase capacity to support more children and caregivers
- Strengthen sustainability through partnerships and donor engagement
- Establishing a cancer research centre for children
Since our doors opened in 2016, we have helped over 1,000 children however there are many more families who need us and your support so that their children with cancer can have hope in recovery from this terrible illness. Through your prayers and generosity, you made it happen, and it means that we can continue into the future to help these children and make a real difference to the lives of these children.
KHC Celebrates 18 years
In July KHC celebrated 18 years of providing holistic care to patients living with HIV/AID, Tuberculosis and Cancer. What a great milestone. And we are grateful to the many individuals and organisations that have been with us on our journey.
Recognition
We are deeply honoured to be recognized by our esteemed partner, Global Partners in Care, for KHC’s commitment to advancing palliative care. This acknowledgment, as part of their 25 Years of Impact, is a powerful reminder of what collaboration, compassion, and shared purpose can achieve in the community. Thank our dear friends for supporting us and walking with us this journey.
Hats on for International Palliative Care for children
Kawempe Home Care proudly joined the global community in raising our hats and our voices for the millions of children who deserve access to compassionate, and specialized palliative care. On this day, we wear hats to honour their courage, advocate for equity in care, and reaffirm our commitment to being a beacon of hope in to these families.
According to the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, over 21 million children worldwide could benefit from having access to palliative care. Yet, 95% of them have limited or no access to these vital services. Of these, 8 million children urgently need more specialized support. We cannot give up on these children.
Cancer Survivors at the New Hope Children’s Hostel 2025
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25 September children from our New Hope Children’s Hostel who are cancer survivors, proudly walked the red carpet at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). The children were presented with a medal to acknowledge the strength, resilience, and victory for successfully completing treatment and being declared a survivor. To everyone who has been part of these children’s journey, that is, the palliative care nurses, patient navigator, caregivers, KHC staff and our dear friends who have supported them through in-kind donations, funding, medical and emotional support, we are so grateful to you.
KHC wins a photography competition
We are proud to have won at the African Palliative Care Conference (APCA) in Botswana, the “Best Photo Award” through True Colors Trust Photography competition. Thank you, APCA for giving us the opportunity to showcase our work. “A beautiful moment of joy as a father shares a heartfelt smile with his son Shafic, at New Hope Children’s Hostel. Despite the challenges of childhood cancer, this image reflects the strength of love, hope, and togetherness. At the heart of palliative care is the support given not only to the child but to the entire family, creating moments of connection, comfort, and emotional healing along the journey.”
Gold celebrations
On 6 September, we joined Uganda Cancer Institute for an Open Day, and it provided us with the chance to see how children with cancer are treated and cared for. The support that UCI and member organisations provide these very disadvantaged young children and their families is remarkable.
What a great way to keep fit and help a worthwhile cause.
Cancer Colour Run:
On 19 May KHC joined our partners, the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation for the Childhood Cancer Colour Run to help them to raise funds to build a hostel for children battling cancer. The run was a great success. Team KHC: L-R Auleria, Mary, Timothy, Rose, Mpakibi, Hope and Jackie
Rotary Cancer Run:
On 31 August our KHC team participated in the Rotary Cancer Run 2025. The event was to create awareness about cancer and how important it was that cancer patients can access affordable medical care.
Fight Women’s Cancer Run:
KHC team (Joan, Timothy, Diana, Patience and Richard with Dr. Margrethe (Volunteer Doctor and Program Advisor- Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja) and her husband Juncker), proudly joined the Fight Women’s Cancer Run in Jinja, hosted by our valued partners Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja. It was a vibrant and meaningful event dedicated to raising awareness and support for women battling cancer. KHC was pleased to be involved is such an important health issue. Thank you to everyone who showed up, stood up, and ran with purpose. Together, we continue to champion hope awareness and support.
PCAU Conference
From 10 -13 September, our partners Palliative Care Association Uganda and Uganda Cancer Institute conducted a 3-day conference addressing challenges in cancer and palliative care through a collaborative focus on community empowerment, inclusivity and a patient-centred approach. We were pleased to be part of this very important discussion.
At the conference, the former Executive Director of KHC, the late Dr. Samuel Guma was honoured with a recognition award. “This award is proudly presented to the Late Dr. Samuel Guma in appreciation of your invaluable support and dedication which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Uganda Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care September 2025.”
Wonderful Support – the love that keeps on giving….
On 1 March the lions from Lions Club of Kampala East came to visit our hostel. The children love these visits as it is a wonderful distraction for them meeting and speaking with visitors. The Club provided essential items such as food and beverages for the hostel. With over 30 children and their caregivers to feed 3 meals each day these items are crucial. “We were moved after learning about the difficulties these children face. The care they receive is lifesaving, but the costs are a huge burden for the organisation and the families of the children. Our goal is to help provide some relief, whether it be through donations or raising awareness. We cannot give up now. These children need us and we must continue to fight for them “. Said Harriet Kyomugisha, the services Chairperson at the Lions Club.
Stanbic Bank – Agent Banking Team: In August we were able to welcome the Stanbic Bank team to our new home. We are grateful for their continued support providing basic items for the children, food and cake!!!
We are also excited to share that the Stanbic Bank Team donated and officiated a Safe Drinking Water System at the children’s hostel where children and their caretakers can collect safe water for drinking.
This support from the Stanbic Bank team is greatly appreciated. Having clean water is a basic necessity for life.
Below are other wonderful groups that are so supportive of the hostel and we couldn’t do it without you – thank you
 Namagunga Girls |
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Healing Water Church
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Rotary Club of Kampala Mahaba & Rotary Club of Kireka Movers
Christine’s family celebrates her birthday with children. 
RH: Rotary Club of Sese provided a much-needed wheelchair.
Lions Club of Entebbe Road 
Handz Fit Gung (fitness centre located in Muyenga Kampala)
Monicah celebrates her birthday with the children
Dairy Land
Several months ago, KHC Facebook page was hacked by CrestCeative and FB administrators would not take this page down, and we have had to set up a new FB page. So, if you have been following us, please “Follow us” again on our new page. And block the old FB page.
Yes, the world may seem to be a different place. The economic insecurity, increasing levels of inequality, declining social trust and social fragmentation are destabilizing societies worldwide. Also, many events that happen can affect how we feel, even if they’re not happening directly to us. Our article Does the world seem to you to have gone crazy? – Kawempe Home Care may shed some light on how to declutter our minds from too much ‘news’ that we are unable to do anything about.
Where would we be without you. KHC team is always extremely grateful for your continued love and support – it keeps us going!!
KHC is determined and we can overcome anything with a little helping hand.