Uganda

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves ( photo:SOS Children’s Villages Uganda)

The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes Region of East-Central Africa. Around 42 million people live in Uganda. At present, most of them live in rural areas, but cities are growing fast. The country has suffered years of violent conflict and political instability, and this has created extremely difficult living conditions. Although in general terms, the economy has improved in recent years since the discovery of oil and gas, it is still volatile, and the distribution of wealth remains very unequal.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it in Uganda since 1988.

Children are at risk

In Uganda, there are around 20 million children under the age of 18; around 2.7 million of them have no parental care and many more are at risk of losing it. Widespread poverty and parents falling ill with HIV/AIDS are key reasons for this. These children are extremely vulnerable, as they are often undernourished and lack access to basic services such as sanitation and healthcare. Furthermore, in some cases children have to work in order to make a living instead of going to school. Children's rights are not sufficiently protected: one in four is forced to work.
1/3
Of Ugandan children do not grow properly due to malnutrition

Widespread poverty

While Uganda has made some economic progress in recent years, nearly 20% of people still live in poverty. Many of them live in rural areas, surviving off farming. They are often affected by climate changes and produce less food than they need to feed their families. Malnutrition is a problem: more than one third of all young children are not growing as they should, since they do not get enough nutritious food.

1/4
Of Ugandan children drop out of primary school

Education

Due to Uganda’s universal primary education policy, the number of children who start school is quite high. However, only 1 in 4 children actually finishes primary school. Many stop going to school because their parents can't afford the fees or the extra costs. In other cases, children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS have to work instead of going to school. Overall, girls are more likely to drop out than boys. Furthermore, the quality of education needs improving.

1.5 M
People in Uganda live with HIV/AIDS

Health

In spite of some improvement in recent years, the lack of medical care remains a problem for many families in Uganda, especially in rural areas. People may have to travel hours to see a doctor.  Pregnant women, mothers and young children are severely affected by the lack of health care. The HIV/AIDS rate, at 7.3 per cent, is also unusually high. There has been some progress: a fall in the number of people with HIV/AIDS and an increase in the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy. However, more needs to be done to prevent further infections.

Together we can make a difference for children in Uganda

2,260
Families
Can stay together
10,580
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
1,350
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
25,760
Medical treatments
Were possible
430
Children
Grow up in our care
220
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Sanyu is clever and ambitious. However, the 11-year-old was forced to drop out of school and started working in a quarry in 2017. Today, she is able to go to school. Despite a two-year absence from school due to the lack of school fees, she is among the best performing pupils in her class. (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Uganda).

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives