Uganda Taekwondo Federation (UTF) Empowerment Program has picked rythm towards achieving its objectives.
The program targets to improve lives of both urban and rural refugees plus unprivileged individuals in the society through the sport.
Recently, a catalytic fundraising drive to raise funds for the project saw 35 private individuals raise $11,000.
Russian national Maxim Artamonou – Director MW Shakhnovskiy Foundation, a Russian humanitarian project has been part of this drive and his efforts have laid major footmarks.
Maxim, who was one of those that spearheaded the first phase of the program financially, wants the project to attract funding from UNHCR, Office of the Prime minister (OPM) and the World taekwondo federation (WTF).
The seen the establishment of the first ever refugee taekwondo centre in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Kamwenge District, a camp that harbors around 70,000 refugees. The sport is now played at the camp while in Kampala, it is played at the national taekwondo center in Kisugu.
UTF General Secretary Badru Ntulage noted that financial hiccups are still a threat to the program. UTF President Hakim Kato is happy about the journey they have covered so far, but looks forward to widening the sport to cover even underprivileged areas like Karamoja.
