Hundreds of vulnerable families, postpartum mothers receive relief as charity group urges greater Government support

By Amos Tayebwa – Mbarara

Government leaders have been challenged to pay greater attention to charity initiatives and work closely with humanitarian organizations to improve support for vulnerable and needy communities across the country.

The call was made following a recent outreach by CHESED Blessing Hand Ministries International, a charity organization that extended support to patients and postpartum mothers at Mbarara City Health Centre IV.

During the visit, the organization distributed a range of essential items including milk products, baby clothes, diapers, bedsheets, and other necessities aimed at improving the welfare of mothers and their newborns.

The charity team also reached out to vulnerable residents during the launch of the CHESED Foundation program at Western Uganda World Revival Network. Community members from areas surrounding Koranarya Town received assorted donations such as clothing, scholastic materials, and nutritional supplements for children.

Speaking during the event, Apostle Katy Okurut, the Chief Executive Officer of CHESED Blessing Hand Ministries International, said serving the needy is at the heart of Christian ministry and a direct expression of God’s command to care for the less privileged.

She described CHESED as a ministry dedicated to raising compassionate individuals who demonstrate mercy through practical action, emphasizing that helping the poor is not optional but a responsibility entrusted to believers.

Okurut explained that the organization operates through several directorates that focus on supporting vulnerable children, orphans, widows, single mothers, the elderly, and other disadvantaged groups.

She expressed concern that charitable work in Uganda continues to face challenges due to weak networking structures and ineffective leadership in some communities.

“If leaders are not committed and teamwork is lacking, it becomes difficult to achieve meaningful results. We need strong partnerships between community leaders and charity organizations because collective efforts produce greater impact,” she said.

Okurut called upon the government to actively support humanitarian organizations, arguing that charities are complementing government efforts by reaching people who often remain underserved.

“These are government citizens and they deserve support. We appeal to government to partner with us and stop overlooking the work charity organizations are doing. Together we can reach more vulnerable people and transform lives,” she added.

According to Okurut, CHESED has conducted charity missions across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, benefiting more than 7,000 people within a year. The ministry’s activities have also expanded beyond East Africa to countries such as Nigeria and the United States.

She further revealed plans to engage President Yoweri Museveni and other leaders in organizing a large-scale charity crusade at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara in the coming months. The initiative is expected to require significant financial support to maximize its impact among vulnerable communities.

Penina Natumanya, CHESED’s Director for Western Uganda, said the organization was established to serve people in need rather than seek recognition.

“We launched this program to bring hope and blessings to vulnerable people. Our mission covers children, women, men, and all categories of disadvantaged individuals because every vulnerable person deserves support,” Natumanya said.

She also appealed for stronger collaboration between government institutions and charity organizations, noting that many struggling citizens lack a platform through which their concerns can reach authorities.

“We act as a bridge between communities and government because we are able to reach people in remote areas whose voices often go unheard,” she added.

Meanwhile, Jolly Kagira, founder of Ankore Old Persons and former Secretary for Health, Community and Social Services at Mbarara City Council, blamed the continued neglect of vulnerable groups on poor leadership.

Kagira argued that some leaders prioritize personal interests over community welfare, leaving the poor, elderly, and disadvantaged without adequate support.

She urged leaders at all levels to embrace servant leadership and become more responsive to the needs of vulnerable citizens, saying sustainable community development can only be achieved when the welfare of the less privileged is placed at the forefront of public service.