Over 20 journalists from various media houses in Uganda attended the training. “The training will help us build a network of child’s rights, journalists in Uganda, Journalists who understand how to report child issues,” Damon Wamara the Executive Director UCRRN shared “We are building child advocates who can influence policy change and community behavioural change to ensure that children have a safe place in our communities.

We invited Ismael Ddumba Nyanzi, a consultant on Alternative care for children in Uganda to share with the journalists the alternative care system in Uganda. He noted that it is important for children to have a consistent caregiver. “Separation of children from their families has a short term and long term negative effect on children’s health and wellbeing,” Ismael shared. “It is important for us to strengthen and support families to care for their children.”

Solomon Lubambula, a journalist from Power FM attended the training and noted that before the training he did not know that they were other alternatives to residential care facilities for children.

“I am grateful for this training, I have been covering children affairs and children rights and I did not know that orphanages are the last resort for children who have been separated from their families,” Solomon shared with us “I have learnt that there are other options that we should consider as a country like foster care and guardianship before orphanages.”

Mr Frank Mugabi The Head of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MoGSLD)thanked Child’s i and UCRNN for empowering journalists and creating a critical mass of reporters who are empowered on children rights and protection. Mr Mugabi made the remarks while closing the workshop at Royal Suites Hotel in Bugolobi.