Inside the battle to save Uganda’s most vulnerable children

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In rural Uganda, children with disabilities are often hidden or deemed a curse. Fred Alimet is driving deep into the villages, bringing hope and a new way.

July 11, 2026 — 7:49pm

David, 18, sits with his hands bound by rope to the bunk bed. David lives with an intellectual disability.

Fred Alimet with David.

When not tending to his congregation in Soroti, eastern Uganda, Pastor Fred Alimet travels to regional areas to educate communities about children with disabilities. Trying to dispel the long held cultural belief that children with disabilities are cursed, Fred is fighting a battle against the tide.

Simon Okurut carries his son, Paul, to Cherish Ikoku’s LandCruiser, with Fred Alimet behind the wheel.

Fred Alimets congregation respond to his sermon under a mango tree. For two weeks Fred held his service outside under the tree as the physical church was re-built after being destroyed by a storm.

Fred Alimet stands amid the ruins of his church.

Teddy embraces her five-year-old son Moses as he winces in pain from the sores on the back of his head.

Fred Alimet explains to 30-year-old mother, Teddy that they cannot give her any immediate help financially. During a village outreach Teddy informs Fred and one of his village health agents, Mark Odai about her 5-year-old son Moses' life and what his immediate needs are. A CP (Cerebral Palsy) chair so he can sit upright to let the sores on his head heal, money for transport to Soroti for therapy and food for a meal are her most pressing needs.

Fred Alimet playfully teases 11-year-old twins Apio and Acen (centre and right) as their younger sister, Cana, looks on. The twins were conjoined at birth.

The congregation gathers under a mango tree to hear Fred’s sermon.

Local witch doctor Robert Apedu inside his clinic.

Local Witch doctor Robert Apedu and Florence Aguro carry Florence's son Noah Oyara into the shade after Robert treated Noah. Noah has no use of his legs and also lives with hydrocephalus. Robert treated these conditions by rubbing a paste of water and plant matter into Noahs skin.

Fred Alimet finds an upset 3-year-old Fleix's ankle tied to a nail in the wall via twine. Felix is often tied when his mother Jennifer Asuku is out doing chores. She says it is for his own safety as he could roll over and knock the cooking stove and fire and burn himself. Felix lives with Cerebral Palsy and Jennifer has been ostracised by her family and Felix's father.

Fred Alimet plays with a happy 3-year-old Felix after releasing him from his tether.

Three-year-old Felix sits upright in his CP (cerebral palsy) chair. Such assistive devices are rare in Uganda but can provide the child with a certain amount of independence, meaning the parent can work or do chores.

Ketty Akello, who lives with Down Syndrome, dances with joy as Fred Alimet and her brother James buy supplies - and candy for Ketty - at the local store.

Ketty embraces her emotional mother Rose Akiro. Ketty returned to boarding school the day after this photo was taken.

At an information session for parents with children living with disability, 44-year-old mother Winifred Achan prays for her 12-year-old son Shedrac Ogwakol.

Jessica Arego, 27, sits hands bound by a rope and tied to the uprights of the mud hut she shares with her sister and carer Mary Amulo, 24. Jessica lives, undiagnosed, with an intellectual disability which sees her disappear for days at a time without the ability to feed herself. Mary has taken to tying her up for Jessica's own safety.

Jessica Arego, 27, sits hands bound by a rope and tied to the uprights of the mud hut she shares with her sister and carer Mary Amulo, 24. Jessica lives, undiagnosed, with an intellectual disability which sees her disappear for days at a time without the ability to feed herself.

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