'Both my parents died from Aids'

Robert lives outside the Ugandan capital of Kampala

Robert Mugerwa is one of 850,000 children in Uganda who have lost parents to Aids.

"My father died three years back. My mother died in the same year," says the 17-year-old orphan.

Robert, who lives in Kataale-Sseguku, a small village 6km south of the Ugandan capital Kampala, is now surrogate father to seven children.

My father died three years back. My mother died in the same year

Robert Mugerwa

These include three sisters, two brothers and two cousins whose parents also died with Aids. His two brothers have been diagnosed with HIV.

Robert dropped out of school last year to support his family.

Local villagers refer to the seven children as "Robert's children".

He wants to ensure the children go to school.

"I could leave," he said.

"But they are still young. If you leave them without going to school it looks bad in the community."

Robert and his family try to make ends meet as best they can.

Support

They have received support from a local charity called the Aids Widows Orphans Family Support.

The charity, which is based at the nearby Nsambya Hospital, aims to offer people like Robert and his family emotional and financial support.

In the past it has helped to pay school fees for Robert's seven children. It has also contributed towards medical care costs.

Recently, the charity, which is headed by Beatrice Lubega, helped Robert to build a new house for his family.

"Madame Beatrice came to me and told me 'Robert we are going to build for you a new house'," he said.

"I was very much surprised. I couldn't believe it. But within a few days the workers came.

"It was completed very easily."

Charity help

Ms Lubega says the charity aims to give people like Robert a future.

"They are young. They are looking for a brighter future and that is why we have to give them support," she said.

The charity works with a number of different people to ensure Aids orphans receive the care they need.

"We have to work with the neighbours and have to work with the local councils so that our children staying on their own are really supported," she said.

This story is featured in the radio programme Health Matters on the BBC World Service.

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