Our approach is holistic, recognizing that healing goes far beyond counseling sessions. Through professional guidance, counseling, and psychosocial support, we help our beneficiaries confront their pain and find inner strength. But we also go further: our outreach programs take these services directly into schools, homes, and communities, ensuring that no young person is left behind.
At the heart of Kiwatule, a vibrant suburb of Kampala, Pounds Recreational Centre has become a place of refuge, renewal, and transformation for thousands of youths and children. We believe that every young person, no matter their past or their pain, deserves the chance to rediscover hope and live a life of dignity, purpose, and joy.
For more than a decade, we have stood alongside young people scarred by drug abuse, violence, broken families, early marriages, and the heartbreak of school dropouts. At Pounds, we do more than mend wounds—we nurture futures. We have created a safe, supportive environment where children and youths can rebuild their confidence, heal their minds, and acquire skills that empower them to thrive in society.
To give back hope where it was lost, to restore dignity where it was broken, and to empower Uganda’s youth to become the architects of a brighter future. In every counseling session, every outreach activity, every skill imparted, and every life transformed, we are proving that healing is possible, progress is real, and Uganda’s future is radiant.
A generation of resilient, empowered, and purpose-driven young people who transform their communities and shape a healthier, more hopeful Uganda.
Our greatest value is hope—the belief that every child and youth, no matter their past, deserves the chance to heal, grow, and live a purposeful life. Through compassion, integrity, and empowerment, we create safe spaces where brokenness is transformed into strength and resilience.
At Pounds, we understand that true rehabilitation also means preparing for tomorrow. That is why our skilling programs equip youths with practical abilities—from tailoring and crafts to entrepreneurship and digital skills—giving them the tools to build livelihoods, compete in the job market, or even create their own enterprises. For those who have lost their homes, we provide temporary shelter during their counseling journey, offering stability, safety, and care until they are ready to reintegrate into their families or communities.
The results speak for themselves. Time and again, we have seen lives transformed: a teenager once consumed by drugs now runs a small business; a young mother once forced into marriage now mentors girls in her community; a boy abandoned to the streets now has a trade, a roof, and a future. These are not isolated stories—they are the daily reality of Pounds Recreational Centre.
Of course, our work responds to a national crisis that can no longer be ignored. As New Vision reported, 14 million Ugandans live with mental health challenges—a figure highlighted by Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, who warned: “If each of the 14 million people interacts with at least two other individuals, then almost the entire population of 42 million Ugandans is affected directly or indirectly.” But while the statistics are staggering, they also remind us of the urgency and importance of what we do.
Pounds Recreational Centre is not defined by the challenges Uganda faces, but by the solutions we are creating. We are shaping a generation that can rise above adversity, turning survivors into leaders, and victims into visionaries. Each child who walks through our doors is seen not for their past, but for their potential.
Cindy Kakwende Rugunda is a passionate advocate for vulnerable children and young people, a leader whose life’s work has been shaped by compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to transforming lives. She began her academic journey at the University of East London, where she graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Laws, a foundation that instilled in her the principles of justice, advocacy, and fairness. Recognizing her true calling lay in care and community service, Cindy further pursued Health and Social Care studies at Newham College of Further Education in London, equipping her with the knowledge and practical skills to serve people in their most difficult moments.
Today, as Managing Director, Cindy leads with a rare combination of professional experience and personal conviction. Every program, every intervention, and every outreach effort is rooted in her belief that no child or youth should be defined by their struggles, but rather empowered to rise above them.
Martin is a seasoned Program and Development Management Expert with over 25 years of experience in designing, managing, and delivering impactful development programs. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University, Kampala.
Over the course of his career, Martin has worked with both government and international development organizations, gaining vast expertise in service delivery, community development, and policy advocacy. He has served with institutions such as Plan Uganda and the Ministry of Health, and has provided consultancy on major World Bank and African Development Bank–funded programs in Water, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Climate Resilience for the Government of Uganda. His consultancy portfolio also includes work with World Vision, HORIZONTb3000, and the Africa Trust Fund, among others.
Martin combines technical expertise with a strong passion for improving service delivery and strengthening local governance. His dedication to grassroots engagement is reflected in his regular participation in Council meetings, where he listens to the challenges of local governments and advocates for practical solutions at higher policy levels.