First Regional Rise Up Policy Forum to Convene in Kampala, Uganda

June 2026 event will bring together government leaders and experts to advance child protection systems across Africa

May 11, 2026 — KAMPALA, Uganda — The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), in partnership with the Government of Uganda, The AfriChild Centre, the Impact and Innovation Development Centre (IIDC), and the Haruv Institute today announced the first regional ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forum and Huddle to be held June 23 – 26, 2026 in Kampala, Uganda.

The event will convene approximately 250 child protection experts from across Africa, including government officials, policymakers, academia, researchers, practitioners, economists, survivors, and funders, to accelerate system-level solutions that prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect.

“This gathering represents more than a conference. It is a commitment to learn, collaborate, and advance meaningful reform grounded in regional expertise,” said Pragathi Tummala, CEO of ISPCAN. “As countries across Africa continue to prioritize ending violence against children, this forum creates space to turn that momentum into coordinated, evidence-based action.”

In recognition of the event’s significance, the Government of Uganda will commemorate the Day of the African Child on June 24, the opening day of the forum. As part of the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, the Government of Uganda will have a Children’s Parliament a day before the event on June 23, 2026. The day will feature 100 children selected across the country to deliberate on issues affecting them in relation to the theme; Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for every child in Africa after which a selected few will present the children’s statement to the Hon Minister and a dedicated youth forum bringing together more than 100 members of Uganda’s children’s parliament, ensuring that young people’s voices directly inform discussions with policymakers and practitioners.

This event marks the first regional edition of ISPCAN’s Rise Up Policy Forum, a new global action platform that brings governments and child protection experts together to drive practical policy solutions through a public health approach. The inaugural forum, held at ISPCAN’s 2025 Congress in Vilnius, Lithuania, convened 270 experts and 55 government representatives.

“Uganda is proud to host this important regional gathering and to welcome leaders and experts committed to advancing child protection across Africa,” said Mondo Kyateka, Commissioner for Youth and Children at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for the Government of Uganda. “This is a timely opportunity to strengthen coordination across sectors, share practical solutions that are grounded in our realities, and reinforce systems that prevent violence and respond effectively to the needs of children and families.”

About the Event

The ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forum and Huddle will focus on sharing practical experiences, advancing evidence-based strategies, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to help countries translate knowledge into coordinated action and strengthen systems that protect children and support families.

The Uganda program includes three connected components:

• A Children’s Parliament where children selected from various parts of the country will convene and deliberate on issues affecting them in relation to the 2026 Day of the African Child theme; Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for every child in Africa’. A selected few children will present the children’s parliament deliberations to the Hon Minister and the Forum delegates on the first day of the forum.
• The ISPCAN Huddle, a case-based learning experience designed by the Haruv Institute, IIDC and Africhild Centre will examine how systems respond to a local case of child sexual abuse and inspire conversation on where earlier intervention or policy changes could change outcomes.
• The final two days are the Rise Up Policy Forum, where government representatives and cross-sector stakeholders will exchange breakthrough strategies, new research, and insights on key African child protection priorities. Featured topics include funding child protection, innovative financing, prevention and data systems.

This event is part of ISPCAN’s broader effort to strengthen regional collaboration through new regional hubs; including the Africa regional hub, centered on regional leadership and expertise. Discussions and solutions will be led by African policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, reflecting the region’s priorities and lived experience. ISPCAN’s role is to convene and support this work through a shared public health framework, ensuring that knowledge is exchanged and that solutions are locally driven and sustainable.

Why it Matters in Africa

This first regional convening comes at a time of urgent need across the continent. UNICEF estimates that more than 79 million girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa — over 1 in 5 — have experienced sexual violence in form of defilement, attempted defilement, online sexual abuse before the age of 18.

Across Eastern and Southern Africa, at least 51 million children are currently affected by overlapping crises, including conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, displacement, and economic hardship, conditions that can increase children’s exposure to violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

At the same time, momentum for change is growing. At the Bogota Colombia 2024 Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, African countries collectively made more pledges than any other region, signalling increased political will to address these challenges.

Research also shows that investing in child protection systems strengthens long-term economic and social outcomes. By bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, the forum aims to help countries translate this momentum into coordinated, evidence-based action.

Organizing Partners

The African Rise Up Policy Forum is convened by ISPCAN in partnership with the Government of Uganda, ISPCAN country partners The AfriChild Centre and IIDC, and the Haruv Institute. The event is also being shaped in collaboration with regional partner organizations, ISPCAN’s African country partners, and its wider network of practitioners and researchers.

Partner Quotes

“As the in-country partners of ISPCAN, AfriChild Centre is honoured to support a forum that brings together African expertise, experience, and leadership in child protection.” — Timothy Opobo, Executive Director of AfriChild Centre.

“IIDC is greatly honoured to be a partner in convening this forum that seeks to inspire African child protection and violence prevention policy innovations that are grounded in evidence and informed by an intentional learning orientation.” — Deogratias Yiga, Executive Director of IIDC.

“This partnership reflects our deep belief that lasting impact in child protection is achieved through collaboration, shared learning, and a collective commitment to children’s wellbeing. Meaningful responses to child sexual abuse begin when practitioners, researchers, decision-makers, and community leaders come together to learn from one another and act with purpose. Haruv Institute is honored to be part of this regional forum and to support a shared effort to strengthen professional capacity, deepen policy dialogue, and improve child protection responses across Africa.” — Professor Carmit Katz, Director of the Haruv Institute.

For more information on the event, including the full program, visit https://ispcan.org/regional-events/ispcan-uganda-2026/ or contact policy@ispcan.org.

About the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) in Uganda derives its mandate from the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, specifically Chapters 4 and 16. The mandate is to empower communities to maximize their potential, protect vulnerable populations, promote gender equality, and manage labor and social development. It aims to foster sustainable development through skills development, cultural growth, and improved labor productivity. Key mandates include; Protection of Vulnerable Groups, Gender Equality and Equity, Labour Administration, Community Mobilisation and Cultural Growth.

About ISPCAN

The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) is the world’s leading global membership organization dedicated to improving the prevention, detection, and response to child abuse and neglect through a public health approach. With a multidisciplinary network of professionals across more than 190 countries, ISPCAN connects research, practice, and policy to strengthen systems of care and protect children worldwide. For more information, visit ispcan.org.

About the AfriChild Centre

The AfriChild Centre is a multi-disciplinary research institution dedicated to improving the lives of children across Africa. Established in 2013, the Centre focuses on generating high-quality research to inform policy and practice related to child welfare, protection, education, and health. Operating from Kampala, Uganda, AfriChild works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. Its team of experienced researchers, programme officers, and child welfare specialists collaborate with government ministries, international organisations, and academic institutions to translate evidence into action. The Centre’s work spans six thematic areas — Care & Protection, Education & Development, Participation, Policy & Regulations, Survival & Health, and Systems Strengthening — reflecting a comprehensive vision for child well-being across the continent. For more information, visit www.africhild.or.ug.

About the Impact and Innovation Development Centre (IIDC)

The Impact and Innovations Development Centre (IIDC) is a not-for-profit regional technical assistant and learning partner organisation that works with development agencies in the public and private sectors to promote impactful and innovative programming. IIDC is registered and based in Ugandan with operations across Africa. For more information visit, iidcug.org.

About the Haruv Institute

The Haruv Institute is the leading organization in Israel, and among the leaders in the world, for training and engaging in research to help children suffering from abuse and neglect. Since its establishment in 2007, the Institute has been working to train professionals, support workers, researchers, parents and children in the prevention of abuse and neglect, and teaching them to identify, locate and rehabilitate the victims. In addition, the Institute develops innovative professional knowledge and disseminates it in Israel and worldwide. For more information, visit haruv.org.il/en/about.