NEMACY-UGANDA formerly Jinja Network for the Marginalized Child and Youth (JINNET) is a membership organization consisting of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Child Rights Advocates (CRAs) and Government Departments.

It was founded in 2001 by Rev Fr Kees Groen woud, Tim Malcomson, Mr. Ben Kulaba, Mr. Jimmy Obbo Ivans and Mr. Everest Maraka among others to harmonize the different interventions for promoting Children/Youths welfare faced by Civil Society Organizations in Jinja District and Jinja Municipal Authorities.

The network was registered as a Community based Organization (CBO) by Jinja District Local Government 2003 and in 2005 as a NGO under registration number 5914/5378 under the NGO Registration Act CQAP113.

NEMACY-Uganda envisions a society that respects the rights of young people and supports them to achieve their full potential while its mission is to jointly implement and coordinate interventions of members to deliver services to marginalized children and youth through; research, advocacy and capacity enhancement.

The organization is guided by the core values of Teamwork Visibility, Non discrimination, Integrity and Participation.

1. To strengthen capacity of members to deliver quality services to children and youth
2. To empower marginalized youths and their families with economic resources to reduce household poverty
3. To conduct research and documentation for evidence based collective positions on issues affecting children.
4. To serve as a voice and influence favorable legislation and policies[1] on child care and protection
5. To strengthen NEMACY UGANDA’s organizational capacity to effectively and efficiently achieve her mandate.

[1] National Orphans and Vulnerable Children Policy (NOP) and the National Strategic Program Plan of Interventions (NSPPI) For Orphans And Other Vulnerable Children 2011/12—2015/16 http://www.unicef.org/uganda/Final_Printed_OVC_Strategic_Plan_Uganda_-NSPPI_2.pdf

NEMACY UGANDA is a membership network with 8 categories of membership, open to Ugandans and non Ugandans interested in issues of young people.

Benefit to Members

1. Alliances building /collaboration with other stakeholders in child protection at local, national and international levels,
2. Access to update information on marginalized young people
3. Platform for sharing, learning and promotion of best practices, skills and expertise on child protection and care
4. Strong and collective voice for advocacy on child / youth concerns,
5. Capacity building support, joint programme design and implementation.

Membership increased from 16 to 31 and are spearheading the development and implementation of bye-laws and ordinances aimed at child protection, addressed challenges in education such in free Universal Primary Education(UPE) by advocating for proper interpretation and implementation of UPE policy, building the capacity of teachers, more stakeholders involvement,  improving the teaching-learning environment through construction of school facilities e.g. classrooms , toilet facilities and teachers’ houses, sponsoring school going children and youth, creating awareness on primary health care, reproductive health especially among young people, community health and sanitation and improving the health infrastructure to provide quality health services, responding and providing services to children and youth with disabilities, elderly among others.

Development Partners

 Previously, the Network has been able to attract financial and technical support from funding agencies like

•  Terre Des Homes Netherlands,
•  Belgium Technical Cooperation,
•  CAC Funds,
•  Germany (PCY/GTZ),
• Mill hill Missionaries,
•  MIVA Switzerland,
• Eskom Uganda ltd
• Barclays Bank-Kampala
•  Jinja Municipal council,
•  Jinja District Local government
• Individual Donors like; Late Fr. Kees Groenwoud, Morris Clarisse (Netherlands), George and Christa -Switzerland among others.

Current Partners

• Jinja Municipal council,
•  Jinja District Local government