The 150 million shilling fund for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kyenjojo district has been scrapped.
the decision to scrap the fund could affect more than 300 orphans and vulnerable children who have been benefiting from the 150 million shillings alolocated by the district per annum to support the Orphans and Vulnerable Children programme.
The money was being used mainly to cater for the school fees needs of the orphans and vulnerable children and to purchase scholarstic materials and wheel chairs for the disabled children.
But David Byaruhanga, the finance Secretary for Kyenjojo district, says the funding for the OVCs has been scrapped due to funding shortfalls.
Byaruhanga explians that the budget estimates of the 2010-2011 financial year has been slashed from 18 billion to shillings 12 billion by the Ministry of Finance. He says that the district intends to spend the resources on priority sectors like roads, water and sanitation.
Byaruhanga however says that the council plans to raise five million shillings from local revenue to support just a few activities of the OVC programme.
About 300 registered orphans and vulnerable children could be affected by the funding shortfalls.
Robert Isagara, the in-charge of Kyarusozi Orphanage home says the orphans will find it difficult to get food, clothes and medicine.
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Sylvia Kabahenda, the Chairperson of the OVCs committee however says she was not consulted about the funding.
Kabahenda has petitioned the district budget committee over the matter.
