A recent terrorist attack in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, killed 76 and left the rest of the nation in fear.
Two bombs exploded at a rugby club where people of all nationalities gathered to watch the World Cup and anther bomb was targeted at an Ethiopian restaurant.
The July 11 attack was traced to Somali Islamist armed group al-Shahbaab whose leader threatened additional attacks if the Ugandan government continued to supply troops to AMISOM, the African Union military force in Somalia.
“This is only the beginning,” al-Shahbaab wrote in an internet statement according to a CNN article.
As an organization committed to the care of orphans, the bombing was a sobering reminder of how many children are orphaned as a result of violence acts.
But even more alarming is the fact that World Orphans has six foster homes within miles of Kampala.
The four churches in Jinja – United Community Methodist Church, Father’s Divine Love Ministry, El Shadai, and Nakazigo United Methodist Church, care for 177 children. The Dove Church children’s home in Wakiso Town, Uganda cares for another 12 children.
The homes’ caretakers have taken every possible precaution to ensure the safety of the children, but each requested prayer for physical safety and freedom from the fear of an uncertain future.
In a letter to a World Orphans staff member, Pastor David Livingstone Zijjan of Father’s Divine Love Ministries wrote:
“We are very shaken by this attack. Too many innocent lives have been taken prematurely and we are very angry. The nation is angry and we need the grace of God to extend love and forgiveness to the Somali people.”
“Uganda has been a warm nation towards refugees and we hope this doesn’t affect that hospitality. At the moment, there is a lot of fear in the population and security has advised me to halt all mass gatherings until security is guaranteed. We therefore have put a halt on the rallies, and movie nights until we are sure. Thank you for your prayers.”
Please continue to keep the people of Uganda and these World Orphans projects in your prayers.