society 7 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jinja's Destitute Home: A Haven Born from Asian Expulsion Crisis
Established in 1973 following the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the Jinja Destitute Home continues to provide refuge for the elderly and vulnerable, many of whom were displaced by the crisis. The home now faces challenges with aging infrastructure and a constant need for basic supplies. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/home-born-of-asian-expulsion-still-shelters-busoga-s-elderly-5586180
The Jinja Destitute Home, also known as the Mpumudde Home for the Elderly and People Living with Disabilities, was founded in 1973 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis triggered by President Idi Amin’s expulsion of Asians from Uganda. Thousands of workers who relied on Asian-owned businesses were left jobless and homeless, with many stranded in Jinja.
Initially located at the Swami Temple, the home relocated to Mpumudde Ward in 1978 and has since become a permanent sanctuary for elderly and vulnerable individuals. Caretaker Dorah Musoke explains that the institution arose from the dire need to assist those left destitute and dying on the streets after losing their livelihoods.
Over five decades later, the home remains operational, sheltering individuals from Uganda and neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. Some residents cannot return to their original homes due to memory loss or past negative experiences. The home has a capacity for 68 residents, though numbers fluctuate.
The institution is heavily reliant on donations from well-wishers, including the Indian community and various clubs and organizations. However, Musoke notes that support often dwindles outside festive seasons, despite the residents’ continuous need for food, clothing, and medical supplies.
Urgent renovations are needed for the aging structures, including the replacement of dangerous asbestos roofing. The home also faces daily struggles for essential items like gloves, soap, and adult diapers, which are costly. A non-functioning maize mill further hinders their ability to supplement food supplies.
Despite these challenges, the home strives to keep residents engaged through activities like gardening and knitting. They also seek government support through programs like the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) to help meet the residents’ basic needs.
The Jinja Destitute Home stands as a testament to enduring need, continuing its mission to care for those with nowhere else to turn, a legacy born from a national upheaval more than fifty years ago.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)