National Coordinators
Ssekate John Mary
John Mary Ssekate holds Bachelor degree of Social Work (Hons) of Kampala International University and a Master of Project Planning with a major in social projects. He has additional professional training in Case Management for Children and Adolescents Exposed to Violence-Makerere University, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights-SRHR, Makerere University School of Public Health, Health and Migration Makerere University and International Certificate in Special Children’s Human Rights, Institute of Inspiring Children Future, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Scotland.
He has worked as a teaching assistant at Kampala International University (2012-2014), Assistant lecturer at Africa Renewal University (2015-2017) NASWU Capacity Building Officer (2017-2019) Implementing the System Strengthening Project – 4Children Project.
John Mary is current National Coordinator for the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda – (NASWU) since 2020 to date. In addition, he has worked as an Independent Social Worker conducting UK court directed assessments and writing reports for CFAB since 2019. He is a member of the National Child Protection-Working Group in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, member of the National Advocacy Committee on Child Protection in the same Ministry, member of Ministry of Health- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Pillar and a member Occupational Committee of IFSW.
Andrew Luyombo
National Coordinator for the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda from January 2017 to December 2020. Andrew was at the helm of coordinating NASWU System Strengthening Projected funded by CRS/ 4Children 4Children in partnership with Makerere University Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda (NASWU) key achievements of this project include- Advance training and continuing professional development for the social welfare workforce, Improved the child protection response – particularly for child and adolescent survivors of sexual violence, strengthening case management through the update and roll out of a national harmonized case management package. Andrew also coordinated and supported a number of capacity building efforts for those in practice and students and contributed to NASWU articles and publications on Mental Health in context of COVID-19.
Irene Nafungo
National Coordinator for the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda from May 2014 to December 2017. Irene coordinated NASWU activities and increased the number of institutional and individual members to support the leadership of Mr. Charles Dracebo, president emeritus NASWU. She led capacity building and advocacy efforts to youth and early career professionals in social work teaching institutions and passionately wrote articles on the role of social work in national development- Read it here. Irene was elected as the national treasurer of the association after her service as the national coordinator between 2017-2020 where she effectively mobilized and managed the association resources. Irene is currently the acting Head of Compliance and Enforcement Department of Equal Opportunities Commission.
Kansiime Penninah
Dr Kansiime Peninah, worked as the National Coordinator for the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda from May 2011 to December 2013. And currently lecturer at the University of Eastern Sidney Australian.
Prior to the commencement of her duties, NASWU was a defunct body that had sunk into oblivion due to the country’s political history of instability and the hunt down of professionals by previous governments. When Uganda gained political stability, there was need to revive the country’s Social Work body in order to develop the profession. With an International Masters qualification in Social Work and Human Rights, Dr Kansiime was the perfect candidate for the job.
Ms. Kansiime continues to play a role as an active member of the association and she was instrumental in the organising an International Social Work Conference that took Place in Kampala from 16-18 March 2014 under the PROSOWO project. The theme of the conference was “PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK IN EAST AFRICA: TOWARDS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION“, and it brought over 250 Social Workers from all over the world under one roof.