THE ANDTEX TRAINING AND CARE ORGANISATION (TATCO) Uganda was formed as a community group by KATO Andrew and NABBANJA Deziranta, both residents of Njeru Town Council in Buikwe district.
Andrew managed life and growth through well-wishers' support from distant friends due to the prevailing poverty and unjust living conditions among the community families — including his own family, where his father had left when he was 4 years old. Support for life, growth, education, health and clothing came mainly from well-wishers at the Catholic Church of Mbikko Parish, where he used to trek about 5km from home with his mother to help with church work such as cleaning, choir and mass serving.
This engagement brought a ray of hope: well-wishers at the church and the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Wynand, began supporting Andrew's education. He was able to continue his education up to University, and reflecting on the unjust situation of his early life, he decided — in his final University academic year, having enrolled on a University Vocational profession — to return home after graduation to organise community members into a training and mindset centre.
He teamed up with Nabbanja Deziranta, who at the time was mobilising fellow women to form a group to help themselves overcome the many challenges they were facing. In 2013, TATCO had its first registration in Buikwe District as a Community Based Organisation, through which members could work and support their community legally, while also creating opportunities for further external support — with programs directly helping youths, women and their children.
Some of the objectives of the organisation are:
In collaboration with Local Government, peer organisations, individuals, companies, religious societies, political leaders, volunteers of like minds, and international donors, TATCO Uganda continues to grow and welcomes all who wish to be part of the community transformation.
Over the years, TATCO Uganda has continued to establish strong linkages with districts and local communities, especially working with Local Government, NGOs and CBOs, with the main objective of transforming the communities we live in and creating a sense of responsibility and social accountability among duty bearers and rights holders.
As a result of different interventions — youth skilling and empowerment, children's education, and community sensitisation workshops — we have seen local communities demand action from relevant authorities at both district and sub-county level. Networks have been born and action taken at different levels, despite challenges of limited funds, information gaps and low awareness of civic rights among residents.
I would like to sincerely appreciate the members of TATCO Uganda, the communities we operate in, and our allies at international, national and district level, and hope for your continued support. Special thanks go to my mother, Nabbanja Deziranta, who has helped me so much in mobilising communities and encouraging me to never lose hope in community development.
TATCO Uganda is a fully registered Community Based Organisation with the office of the CDO in Mukono and Buikwe Districts, and a company by guarantee with URSB No. 80034347804994, operating to serve communities through Child Education and Development, Livelihood and Economic Empowerment, Climate Change Action and Environment Care, and Elderly Support and Care services.
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