Our story

Started by a man who lived it.

Mtaani exists because one boy who slept on Kampala's streets refused to forget the children still there.

Portrait of Tumwesigye Ronald, founder of Mtaani Foundation

In 1996, as a boy, Tumwesigye Ronald became a street child in Kampala. He learned early what it was to be hungry, unseen, and alone, and how quickly a child on the street slips out of everyone's notice.

Against the odds, he found his way off the street and into school. Years later, in 2018, he qualified as an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, a path that began in the very place this work now reaches.

He could have left that world behind. Instead he founded Mtaani in 2022, so that no child would have to face the street alone the way he once did.

That is still the whole idea. Find the child. Stay with the child. Bring the child home.

Vision

A world where no child or young person has to call the street home.

Mission

We exist to rescue, rehabilitate, and empower street-connected children and young people by providing safe care, supporting rehabilitation, strengthening families, and creating pathways to education, healing, and independence.

Our values

What guides our work.

Our values guide how we work every day to rescue, rehabilitate, and empower street-connected children and young people, and to support their journey toward safety, healing, and independence.

Faith-guided integrity

We are guided by faith and a strong sense of moral responsibility. This shapes how we treat every child, how we make decisions, and how we remain accountable in all aspects of our work.

Compassionate care

We respond to every child with dignity, empathy, and respect. Our approach is rooted in understanding their experiences and meeting them with care rather than judgement.

Commitment to rehabilitation and healing

We walk with children through the process of recovery, restoration, and healing. We believe that lasting change requires time, patience, and consistent support.

Family and community restoration

We believe children thrive best within safe and supportive families. We work to strengthen, reconnect, and rebuild family relationships wherever possible as part of long-term rehabilitation.

Transparency and accountability

We are responsible in how we use resources entrusted to us. We remain transparent to our partners, communities, and supporters, ensuring that our work is grounded in trust.

Collaborative teamwork

We work closely with communities, families, partners, and stakeholders to support each child's journey from the streets to stability and opportunity.