Uganda Red Cross Society

Uganda Red Cross Society
Founded1964
TypeAct of Parliament
FocusHumanitarian
HeadquartersPlot 551/555 Rubaga Road
Location
Area served
Uganda
MethodAid
Websitehttps://www.redcrossug.org

Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is a membership humanitarian organization in Uganda.[1] It focuses on humanitarian aid and community services charity in Uganda. It is a national member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement who draws mandates from the Geneva Conventions.[1][2]

The National Society was founded in 1939 by a group of women in Entebbe, then in 1941 it became a branch part of the British Red Cross. It has its headquarters in Rubaga Road, Kampala.[3][4]

The Uganda Red Cross Society is noted as the leading humanitarian organization in Uganda.[5]

History of the Uganda Red Cross

It was founded in 1939 by a community group of women in Entebbe, then later became a branch of the British Red Cross in 1941.[6] In 1964 under an Act of Parliament, the Uganda Red Cross Constitution was adopted bringing into existence the Uganda Red Cross Society as an auxiliary to the government of Uganda in providing humanitarian services.[7][5] A year later in 1965, the Society was admitted as a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement(IFRC).[5]

Uganda Red Cross Society has continued to grow over the years and it now has 51 branches and 30 sub-branches spanning the whole of Uganda.[8] The National Society also works with a number of partners in the execution of its mission. These include the Government of Uganda, United Nations agencies, international funding agencies, companies and practicing sister Red Cross National Societies.[9][1]

Work

The Uganda Red Cross Society through the Ministry of Health has been involved in a number of health relief efforts including training of village health teams, tracing contact persons, supporting safe and dignified burials for cases of viral diseases like Ebola.It is noted that the National Society played an auxiliary role in ensuring that Uganda is Ebola free[5]

The National Society has also helped in ensuring sustainable use of energy resources for some refugee groups living in settlements like Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement by encouraging the use of alternative energy technologies for cooking and lighting, among others, as a way of reducing the cost of living in these settlements.[10]

The Fundamental Principles

Uganda Red Cross Society operates under the seven fundamental principles that guide all Red Cross and Red Crescent movements worldwide:[11]

1.Humanity

Protection and respect for humanity

Promotion of health and life

Prevention or lessening of human suffering

2. Impartiality

Serving humanity without discrimination based on race, political affiliation, ethnicity, religion etc.

3. Neutrality

No taking sides in times of conflict or engaging in controversies of political, religious, racial or ideological nature

4. Independence

National Societies must remain independent in their decision making

No external influence, no strings attached

5. Voluntary Service

Services to the beneficiaries are free of charge

6.Unity

One National society in each country is open to all

7. Universality

The Movement is global in nature

Core programs

The following are the core programs and interventions of URCS;[1][2]

  • Disaster Response and Management (DRM)
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Restoration of Family Links
  • Supporting Communities for Resilience
  • Health and Social Services
  • Emergency health, first aid and ambulance services
  • Blood donor recruitment(BDR)
  • Water Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH)
  • Keep a Girl in School Initiative (KAGIS)
  • Pandemics and Epidemics response
  • Youth and Women empowerment
  • Sustainability

These are the URCS core values:

  • Accountabilty
  • Equity/Equality
  • Professionalism
  • Responsive
  • Value for People

Leadership

The Table below shows the Senior Management team at Uganda Red Cross Society.[12]
S/N NAME POSITION
1. ROBERT KWESIGA SECRETARY GENERAL
2. BRIAN KANAAHE DIRECTOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
3. HARRIET KAGOYA DIRECTOR OPERATIONS
4. JOSEPHINE OKWERA DIRECTOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
5. IRENE NAKASIITA DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
6. NAPHTAL BAGUMA DIRECTOR LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
7. ORWIN TUMUHIRWE DIRECTOR HUMAN RESOURCE AND ADMINISTRATION
8. APOLLO ENGWAU DIRECTOR FINANCE
9. ARMSTRONG ASIIMIRE DIRECTOR BRANCH AND MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The table below shows the Central Governing Board(2022-2026) At Uganda Red Cross Society

S/N[13] NAME POSITION
1. Dr.Halid Kirunda Chairperson
2. Betty Justine Anyiri Vice Chairperson
3. Hon. Stephen Tashobya Honorary Treasurer
4. Sylvia Achebet Member
5. Joseph Mukasa Member
6. Alex Luganda Member
7. Aisha Nabukera Nnakeyenze Member
8. Lawrence Kizza Member
9. Prof. Vinand Nantulya Member
10. Hon. Ssempala Kigozi Emmanuel Member
11. Saviour Yoningom National Youth Council Chairperson
12. Suzan Nayebare National Youth Council Vice Chairperson
13. Charles Hamya Member
14. John Muheirwoha Member

References

  1. ^ a b c d "About us". www.redcrossug.org. Archived from the original on 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  2. ^ a b "Uganda Red Cross Society". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  3. ^ Uganda (1964). Statutes and Subsidiary Legislation: Containing Rules, Regulations, Proclamations, Orders, Notices, Etc. Government Printer. p. 138. Retrieved 13 Apr 2023.
  4. ^ World Disasters Report, 1995. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 1995. p. 56. ISBN 978-90-411-0038-2. Retrieved 13 Apr 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) | Devex". www.devex.com. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  6. ^ "Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) | Devex". www.devex.com. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  7. ^ "Red Cross Act 1964 | Uganda Legal Information Institute". ulii.org. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  8. ^ "Uganda Red Cross Society, Practical Resource Pack" (PDF). Uganda Red Cross Society, Practical Resource Pack.
  9. ^ "Uganda Red Cross | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  10. ^ "The Uganda Red Cross Society". A presentation of the URCS Engagement in Energy for the Environment for the Work GrEEn Meeting.
  11. ^ "Fundamental Principles – Uganda Red Cross Society". redcrossug.org. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
  12. ^ "Senior Management Team".
  13. ^ "Central Governing Board – Uganda Red Cross Society". redcrossug.org. Archived from the original on 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
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