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Childhood
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About Free Child Uganda

Free Child Uganda (FCU) is a rights based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to supporting children in conflict with the law. Established in 2016, our core mission is to provide essential legal aid to vulnerable youth, ensuring their rights are protected within the justice system. As a duly registered and approved legal aid service provider, we operate under a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development MoGLSD). This partnership grants us the mandate to serve children across the seven remand homes, including the National Rehabilitation Centre in Kampiringisa advocating for a more just and rehabilitative future for our nation’s youth.

Our Mission

To advocate and promote the humane and rehabilitative treatment of children in conflict with the law

Our Vision

To see an effective, all-encompassing juvenile justice system in Uganda that guarantees fair and unbiased treatment for all the children in conflict with the law regardless of their background

Our Core Values

We prioritise the well-being, rights and long-term future of every child in all our legal and social interventions

We believe legal representation is a fundamental right not privilege and it should be available to every child regardless of their background or nature of the case

Our focus extends beyond the court room, advocating for rehabilitation and successful community reintegration over punitive measures.

We maintain the highest professional and ethical standards in all our interactions and interventions with all our beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders across the justice chain

We work hand in hand with the families and communities of the children, Justice Law and Order (JLOS) actors and other partner organisations to create a safer more responsive environment for the vulnerable youth.

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Our Work

Child-Friendly Legal Representation

We provide specialized legal aid tailored to each child's age and maturity. Our advocates ensure that every child understands their case, is heard in court, and receives a fair outcome that respects their unique vulnerabilities

Promoting Diversionary Justice

We advocate for "diversion" redirecting children who commit minor offenses away from formal court proceedings and toward rehabilitation. We build the capacity of justice actors, including the Police, Judiciary, and Local Council Courts, to implement Uganda’s National Diversion Guidelines

Family Resettlement & Reintegration

Release from detention is only the first step. We work closely with Probation and Social Welfare Officers to conduct family tracing and provide the necessary support for a child’s seamless and safe re-entry into their home and community.

Legal Awareness & Community Engagement

Through schools, community dialogues, and meetings with religious and cultural leaders, we raise awareness about juvenile rights. We promote alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice as effective tools for community-based healing.

National Policy Advocacy

FCU actively engages state actors to bridge the gap between law and practice. We provide a platform for dialogue to address systemic challenges and advocate for reforms that prioritize a rehabilitative rather than punitive justice system.

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Our partners

Juvenile Justice requires a collaborative effort from government, private sector and civil society. To this end we foster synergies and collaborative working with different agencies and individuals who supporter us by donating, volunteering or being advocates for children and young people in their communities.

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With a rights based, non-institutional approach our organization gives voices to neglected and delinquent children

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    Juvenile Justice requires a collaborative effort from government, private sector and civil society. To this end we foster synergies and collaborative working with different agencies and individuals who supporter us