About Bethesda

Bethesda International was founded by Ruth Mirembe Muga (RIP) in 1995 after losing her brothers and sisters to AIDs/HIV and other illnesses and taking in her 12 nieces and nephews. The very next year, Ruth opened her doors to two more children who had been orphaned and abandoned. From there, Bethesda International was founded and registered as an Non-Government Organization (NGO) and now cares for 200 orphans and vulnerable children. The organization has grown from one foster home to the now 8 that exist.

Ruth, a single woman, decided to give up her life to raise these children. While more and more orphanages were opening due to the rapidly increasing number of orphans, Ruth led the way in implementing a foster care system in Jinja, Uganda, her home town. She desired to maintain the strong African cultural value for family living. She founded the very first library in Jinja in hopes of empowering her African brothers and sisters to embrace education and to inculcate a reading culture among them.

In order to further educational opportunities for the children, Ruth also founded Rapha Community School which is located in rural Mukono, just outside Jinja so as to further education for the children in Bethesda as well as the surrounding community for preschoolers through seventh grade. Rapha is the first school to have been established in this community, allowing these children to be the first literate generation in their community.

In 2006, after years of impacting the country of Uganda as a single woman, Ruth married the love of her life, Arthur Muga, a high school English teacher. Together, the two along with the Bethesda staff, continued their work to expand and provide a loving environment for the children of Uganda.

In 2008, twelve years after the organization was founded, Ruth passed away from medical complications incurred by sickle cell anemia. Though the passing was unexpected and a huge loss, Bethesda continues to grow and expand, currently caring for over 300 children.

Staff information

The Bethesda office has four different departments:

  1. Finance and Administration
  2. Education
  3. Social work
  4. Community Development

Office staff:
Arthur C Muga – Team Leader
Muwaya Adonia – Manager
Rose Walubo – Accountant
Merida Kawala – Social Worker
Kisakye Annet – Caterer/Cook
Abitegeka Stella – Receptionist

Rapha Community Teachers:
Nantege Juliet – Headmistress
Lugwire Bosco – Director Of Studies
Mukembo Stephens – Teacher
Namukisa Laiton – Teacher
Naikesa Judith – Teacher
Ogutu Denis – Teacher
Wandera Peter – Teacher
Ibrahim Abangi – Teacher
Mawejje Andrew – Teacher
Nabasige Faridha – Teacher

Rapha Community Support Staff:
Nakibuka Sarah – Matron/Cook
Isabirye Tom – Farm Assistant
Lugwire Bosco – Farm Manager
Buyii Godfrey – Askari (School Keeper)