Kefa Sempangi began ministry to the street children in Uganda in 1971 under the banner of The Africa Foundation. These children were mostly orphaned and homeless due to the killing of Idi Amin’s henchmen. Kefa and his family had to flee Idi Amin and Uganda in 1974 (see his book A Distant Grief) but he returned in 1979 and resumed this ministry. Sadly, the effects of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States has had a devastating effect on the external support Kefa was receiving and much of his work is suspended.

Previously on this page, I had reproduced some accusations that had been made against Mr. Sempangi and the response that he had made to the Parliament of Uganda. (At that time he was a sitting member of Parliament) I once was have a telephone conversation with a gentleman about Uganda and I mentioned Mr. Sempangi and the gentleman immediately voiced a very negative opinion of Mr. Sempangi, saying he was just a con artist that took money intended to help children. Having visited with Mr. Sempangi numerous times in Uganda, and personally knowing a number of young men who, by their own words, were saved the streets and probably death, by Mr. Sempangi I found this very odd.

I then inquired as to where my friend on the phone had gotten this information. He told me and sure enough, it was the material formerly on this page. What he had done was read the accusations, but not the response. Therefore, I have removed all that information from this site.

The truth is, Mr. Sempangi, like virtually every group that is involved in helping children, found himself being blackmailed with comments like "If you don't give me so much money, I will spread the word you are a fraud." Turns out this is very, very common and has hurt many very good works. Once a bad word is out, it is very hard for the truth to catch up to it.

I have looked long and hard at Mr. Sempangi's work and have not found anything about his lifestyle that suggests he is simply taking people's money intended to help street children, and using it for his own purposes. He has given a good portion of his life helping street kids and as I said above, I know some of these kids (now young men) and I am very impressed with them. Someone has made a big difference in their lives and I see nothing to suggest it was anyone other that Kefa Sempangi.