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In pre-colonial Uganda, orphans were traditionally cared for by extended families and community networks, with strong kinship systems absorbing orphaned children into larger family structures. During British colonial rule (1894-1962), formal institutions emerged, but the extended family system remained the primary care mechanism for orphans. After independence in 1962, political turmoil and violent regimes increased the number of orphans, leading to the establishment of orphanages and children's homes by missionaries and NGOs.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s dramatically increased the number of orphans, with over 1.7 million children estimated to have lost parents to the disease by the late 1990s. Despite improvements in data collection and a reduction in new infections, the legacy of the epidemic continues to affect many children. Additionally, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency displaced millions and created an orphan crisis in Northern Uganda. Uganda has shifted towards sustainable and community-based care, including fostering and support for child-headed households. The Sheillah Children Foundation, through its Strategic Programme Plan of Interventions for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children, aims to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children comprehensively.
