Politics 16 April 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Unsafe Child Remand Homes Highlight Budget Shortfalls in Gender Ministry
Parliament has flagged the condemnation of 10 remand homes, Naguru Reception Centre, and Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre due to safety issues, exposing funding gaps in child protection under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Lawmakers urge Shs5 billion for renovations amid broader budget imbalances affecting vulnerable groups. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4401/condemned-child-remand-homes-expose-funding-imbalances-gender-ministry-budget
Uganda’s Parliament has raised alarms over the safety of children in state care after the Ministry of Works condemned at least 10 remand homes, the Naguru Reception Centre, and Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre. These facilities house 2,617 children in conflict with the law, yet many lack secure land titles, with only three out of 12 institutions properly titled.
Presenting the Gender Ministry’s budget report for 2026/2027 on April 16, 2026, chaired by Speaker Anita Among, Committee Chairperson Hon. Agnes Kunihira highlighted these failures. Despite a 20.7% overall budget increase to Shs91.212 billion, key areas like culture and family affairs saw a 20.9% cut in non-wage funding, and administration faced an 8.7% reduction.
Kunihira noted poor fund absorption, with only 62.8% of released funds spent by June 2025, partly due to delays in donor programs. The committee recommends Shs5 billion for renovations to safeguard child welfare.
Other concerns include a rising backlog at the Industrial Court, underfunded oversight bodies like the Labour Advisory Board, and gaps in labour regulation. Positive strides were acknowledged in the SAGE program benefiting 297,724 elderly, plus support for women and disability enterprises.
Speaker Among queried long travel distances for SAGE payouts, prompting Chief Whip Hon. Denis Hamson Obua to affirm plans to lower the beneficiary age from 80 to 65. MP Hon. Joseph Ssewungu suggested mobile money transfers, with the Speaker directing further study.
The report heads to the Budget Committee for harmonization.
Source: Parliament of Uganda