Lira City | July 4, 2025 — In a powerful display of compassion and youth-driven change, Brian Yeko Ongora, the Lira City NRM Youth League leader, initiates Team 5K—a monthly charity initiative—at Ngetta Baby’s Home, marking a turning point in how young people in Northern Uganda are stepping up to support vulnerable communities.
Last month, Ongora vowed to begin monthly donations to marginalized groups including the sick, prisoners, and orphans. True to his word, today’s launch confirmed his promise was more than just political rhetoric.
With Team 5K, a group of passionate young people each contributing UGX 5,000 monthly, Ongora has created a homegrown model of sustainable giving. This month,the team provided vital supplies to the 45 children cared for at Ngetta Baby’s Home.
“This is just the beginning,” Ongora said. “We don’t need to be rich or famous to help. Our goal is to grow this initiative to 100 members and raise UGX 500,000 every month to support the needy.
If people in the West can fundraise for change, we can do it right here in Lira too.”The initiative, under the larger umbrella Unity for Good Foundation, aims to expand its reach in the coming months, with the next visit planned for Adina Foundation in August.
Ongora is also advocating for broader social support including sanitary pad distribution for schoolgirls, youth vocational training, and mental health education. He emphasized the rising number of street children as a symptom of poverty, urging the government and NGOs to support community-based solutions.
Gracing the event as Guest of Honour, RCC Lawrence Egole hailed Ongora’s efforts, stating, “The problems of young people must be solved by young people themselves. What Brian and Team 5K have started is a movement of purpose.” He described the initiative as a Caradally Tree—offering shelter and hope to those who need it most.
Egole officially launched the initiative and accepted to serve as the team’s patron and pledged his continued support.
Sister Demmy Frances, the administrator at Ngetta Baby’s Home, praised the initiative as timely. She revealed the home currently struggles with maintaining care for 45 children under one year old, especially after donor funding was withdrawn.
The lack of a perimeter fence and stable financial resources puts the children at serious risk. She called on the public for continued donations to cover electricity, water, food, and other essentials.
Sister Demmy Frances dismissed harmful rumors about baby-selling and clarified that babies are offered freely to vetted and responsible families through proper legal procedures.
She also appealed for permission to rent out unused buildings to generate income. However, Lira City Mayor Sam Atul advised the home to instead consider long-term agricultural ventures like poultry and piggery for sustainability.
The launch of Team 5K is more than just a donation—it’s a statement. It proves that with unity, even small contributions can create big change.
As the initiative expands, it promises to be a beacon of hope not just for orphans and vulnerable groups, but for the entire Northern Uganda community.
#Team5K #YouthForChange #NgettaBabiesHope #UnityForGood
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