Community Profile
Makerere Grace is one of the newest CARE for AIDS centers located in the Kampala, Uganda region. As of 2018, there were 100,000 new HIV infections recorded each year in Uganda. Some estimate that without immediate intervention, Uganda may see up to 300,000 new infections per year by 2025. Kampala is Uganda’s capital and largest city. Kampala currently has an 8.5% infection rate, and access to care for many in the slums is difficult if not impossible.
The Makerere Grace center launched in 2019 in partnership with Grace Christian Center Church in Kampala (pictured above, currently under construction for a church expansion).
CENTER STAFF
HEALTH COUNSELOR: STELLA KABYANGA
Stella joined the CARE for AIDS staff in 2019 as the Health Counselor for the Makerere Grace center in Kampala. Stella grew up in Christian family in Kampala, and now is a parent of four children with her husband William.
“My wish for our clients is to be born again and to live long, healthy, enjoyable lives.”
Spiritual Counselor: Henry Tendo
Henry is Makerere Grace’s spiritual counselor, joining the team in 2019 for the launch of the Kampala region. Henry, along with his wife Anne, are the parents of 7 children. Henry was raised in the Nalase District of Kampala, where his family concentrated on agriculture. In his free time, Henry enjoys sports.
“I wanted to work for CARE for AIDS because it is a life-changing organization…and I wish to see a better life and a transformed mind for our clients.“
center history
year graduates faith decisions orphans prevented
2019-2020* 70 23 302
2020-2021 TBD TBD TBD
*The cohort in the 2019-2020 class was impacted by delays in the CARE for AIDS program caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and health precautions. To learn more about how we responded to the pandemic, visit this page.
Client profiles
NASSANGA HAFSWA, 2020 Graduate
Nassanga joined the CARE for AIDS program at the Makerere Grace center in November of 2019. She originally hesitated in joining a program hosted in a Christian church because she was raised in a Muslim home, but her failing health left her no other option. Once she started the program, her fears were put to rest. She found an incredible community and life-changing support for her physical, economic, and emotional health.
Nassanga’s family had disowned her when they found out about her HIV status, so before being connected to a community through the center, she felt quite hopeless and alone. Once she saw that she was not alone, her life began to change completely. Nassanga learned about ARV adherence, nutrition, and how to keep her physical health a priority. She also learned marketable skills throughout the nine-month program that have enabled her to provide for herself and her son. Most importantly, Nassanga decided to follow Jesus. She received her first Bible in the CARE for AIDS program and absolutely fell in love. She now shares the good news her neighbors and family - she is full of hope and we are excited to see how she continues to thrive in the coming years.