8.10.2024

Finn Church Aid Uganda celebrates 10 years of lasting impact

On 8th October 2024, Finn Church Aid (FCA) marked a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of physical presence in Uganda with a grand event held at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.

FOUNDED IN 1947 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, FCA has been a pivotal force in humanitarian response for over 75 years. Although FCA has been active in Uganda since 1979 through implementing partners, it officially established its office in the country in 2014.

The anniversary celebration was graced by several distinguished guests, including Uganda’s Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Eng. Hon. Hillary Onek, who served as the chief guest.

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone at a podium. The podium bears the FCA logo.
Uganda’s Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Eng. Hon. Hillary Onek was the chief guest at the anniversary celebrations.

In his speech, he appreciated the tremendous work FCA is doing in Uganda, highlighting how providing appropriate education is indirectly fostering peace in their countries.

“The skills that refugees are gaining through FCA’s programmes are being used as means of livelihoods. Thank you FCA, for your tremendous contribution to peace and humanity for those affected,” he remarked.

Other notable attendees included H.E. Margaret M. Otteskov, the Ugandan Ambassador to the Nordic States, H.E. Tapiola Pirkka, the Ambassador of Finland to Kenya and Uganda, Dr. Tomi Järvinen, the Executive Director of FCA, The Most Rev. Dr. Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, and various donors, partners, and country directors.

In his address, FCA Uganda’s Country Director, Wycliffe Nsheka, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the donors and partners who have supported the organisation in achieving positive change. He highlighted FCA’s impactful work in education, livelihoods, and peace, noting that the organisation supports an average of 187,027 learners per term as of 2024.

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone at a podium. The podium bears the FCA logo.
FCA Uganda Country Director Wycliffe Nsheka giving his remarks at the country office’s 10-year anniversary event.

“FCA has been paying salaries to over 2,000 teachers every month since 2018 in partnership with UNHCR and has provided vocational training to 37,806 youths. Additionally, FCA has constructed 820 classrooms and 225 teacher accommodation blocks to support quality education,” he told the audience.

Dr. Tomi Järvinen emphasised that FCA remains committed to its humanitarian mission in Uganda, aiming to continue their important work and support the most vulnerable populations.

At the event, FCA launched the “We Don’t Give Up” campaign in Uganda. This campaign emphasises the organisation’s commitment to helping vulnerable communities thrive despite challenges.

FCA’s operations in Uganda focus on quality education, sustainable livelihoods, and peacebuilding, particularly in response to the massive influx of refugees from South Sudan, Sudan and DR Congo. The organisation works closely with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support both refugees and host communities across various settlements in the country.

Three people sit at a round dining table in a crowded conference room. In the background there are more seated guests and a camera team filming.
Some of the guests at the FCA Uganda 10-year anniversary celebration

FCA’s work is supported by UNHCR, UNICEF, the United States Bureau for Populations, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), Education Cannot Wait, the European Union, European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and Appeal for Emergency Response through Act Alliance.

Text: Linda Kabuzire