Sinohydro Corporation Ltd., the firm that built the Karuma Dam, has donated $196,000 (Shs718.7 million) to three districts as part of the company’s Orphanage Fund Support Programme.

The districts of Kiryandongo, Oyam, and Nwoya have received the funding
revealed to take care of mixed-race children that were born of Chinese workers.

Since 2014, when the works began, several women from the communities where the project is based have fathered Chinese offspring and have no way of catering for their future needs.

Washington Ochaya, the district councillor for Karuma Town Council, confirmed the development, stating that they have identified and documented 14 mixed-race children and their mothers within the town council who are eligible for the fund.

“Some of these women and children are spread outside the town council, and we are mapping more so that they can benefit from the fund. We are also following up with the district to ensure that the funding is not diverted,” Mr. Ochaya said.

Ms. Edith Aliguma Adyeri, the Kiryandongo District chairperson, said they have received the money, which will help support some orphans in accessing education. She, however, said they are awaiting further instructions from the

“We have the technical planning committee of the district and town council, and also leaders on the ground who are mapping these women. We are sure that the right criteria are followed to ensure that these women are supported with this fund,” Ms. Aliguma said.

Mr Kou Zhibin, the Sinohydro Corporation Ltd’s Commercial Manager, disclosed that, “For the orphanage fund, we have given each district $66,600 (Shs244.2 million). This is the first time we are providing the orphanage fund.”

He added that the company, together with Uganda Electricity Generation Co. Ltd., had previously offered scholarships to the best-performing female students in the project area as a gesture to support girl-child education.