BUSUNJU, UGANDA – November 17, 2025 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian organization, recently celebrated the grand opening of the Baitulmaal Hope Center for Children with Special Needs, marking a significant milestone in inclusive education and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in Central Uganda. The center represents a collaborative effort to address long-standing gaps in equitable access to quality educational opportunities for children with special needs.
While Uganda has demonstrated its commitment to providing education for all children by ratifying key international and domestic frameworks, children with special needs still face significant barriers. For example, government data and UN agency reports indicate that only 9% of children with disabilities of school‐going age are enrolled in primary school, compared with national primary enrollment averages of over 90%.
According to Ahmed Sherif, head of international programs at Baitulmaal, the Baitulmaal Hope Center will be the first comprehensive Muslim-founded institution in Central Uganda dedicated to inclusive education, psychosocial care, and vocational development for children with disabilities.
“The facility is designed to serve as a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for children with diverse needs,” Sherif said. “It includes classrooms, dormitories, a vocational skills laboratory, and a multipurpose hall. Above all, it houses hope for these children and their families.”
The center’s key objectives include:
- Providing a safe, inclusive atmosphere that fosters emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
- Nurturing overall wellbeing through academic, creative, and recreational activities.
- Building self-confidence, strong character, and self-esteem.
- Promoting lifelong learning through ICT and engagement with role models.
- Strengthening vocational skills to facilitate future independence and societal contribution.
Initially, the center will enroll 210 children, equally balanced across genders, following Uganda’s Ministry of Education calendar, with boarding provided throughout the school terms.
To ensure long-term viability, the center will:
- Establish an agricultural farm for food security and vocational training.
- Implement a modest parent contribution scheme.
- Continue collaboration with Kibuli Muslim Hospital and community partners for operational support.
The Baitulmaal Hope Center represents a transformative step toward inclusive education and empowerment for children with special needs.
In addition to the new center, Baitulmaal has organized free cataract surgery camps in Uganda and recently opened two new maternity units through a partnership with Kibuli Muslim Hospital, made possible due to a generous grant from the Gates Foundation and the Every Pregnancy coalition. To learn more about or contribute to these efforts, visit johnjanney.org/.
About Baitulmaal
Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian organization that provides life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to underserved communities around the world, regardless of faith or nationality. Its programs include food security, water, health care, education and emergency relief. For more information, visit johnjanney.org/.
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