The children who live on the streets of Kampala have fled abusive situations, extreme poverty, or have been abandoned. Behind their bravado, proclaiming they like their lives and freedom, there is a child looking for a home and yearning for security and support.
In Uganda, child vulnerability remains a serious concern. It is estimated that 10,000–15,000 children live or work on the streets of Kampala alone. National studies show that more than half of Ugandan children experience some form of violence during childhood, and nearly 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Poverty, family conflict, neglect, and limited access to basic services continue to push children into unsafe environments.
M-LISADA is a Ugandan government approved and registered children’s home. We provide a safe and supportive environment for vulnerable children deprived of family and parental care. There are usually about 65 children and youth who live at M-LISADA’s Kampala and Kalangala homes at any given time. Many children stay at M-LISADA temporarily while family tracing and assessment take place, but some remain until they reach adulthood when no safe alternative exists.
Frequently, children who were living on the street or have been abandoned or abused are brought to M-LISADA by the police, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and the government probation office. M-LISADA also works in collaboration with other organizations that support street-connected children.
Children brought to M-LISADA are welcomed by both the administration and their peers. The whole organization works intentionally to ensure they feel valued, safe, and respected. If the children come directly from the streets, they join a structured rehabilitation program designed to help them recover from trauma, break harmful survival behaviors, and rebuild discipline and self-confidence.
Children are frequently referred to M-LISADA by the Uganda Police, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Government Probation Office, community leaders, and partner organizations. We also collaborate closely with other street-connected networks, including CRANE (Children at Risk Action Network Uganda), to ensure coordinated and responsible child safeguarding.
When a child arrives at M-LISADA, the first priority is immediate safety, protection, and stabilization. Each child undergoes an initial assessment to understand their background, risks, and immediate needs. From there, a structured protection and care plan is developed.
Our child protection interventions include:
Our approach is holistic, combining protection, rehabilitation, family strengthening, and community engagement to ensure long-term safety and stability.
Not all children can be immediately reunited with their families. In cases where families are untraceable, unsafe, or unable to provide stable and supportive care, M-LISADA provides an extended transition pathway through Dreamhouse. This program is designed to support older youth who are preparing for independent adulthood but still require structured guidance and mentorship.
Dreamhouse serves as a bridge between protection-based care and full community belonging. During this transition phase, young people receive mentorship and structured support focused on vocational and technical training, university preparation where possible, and the development of practical life skills necessary for responsible adulthood. The program places strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, income generation, job application skills, professional networking, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, mental health support, problem-solving, and sound decision-making.
Through Dreamhouse, young adults are gradually empowered to move from dependence to self-reliance, building the confidence, stability, and resilience needed to develop a sense of belonging in society and contribute positively to their communities.
M-LISADA’s holistic protection and empowerment model has delivered measurable outcomes across child rehabilitation, family reintegration, youth transition, and community prevention.
These results represent restored childhoods, strengthened families, and empowered communities.
