Destinations – Uganda

FACT FILE

• Population: 27.6 million
• Capital: Kampala
• Major languages: English, Swahili, Ganda
• Major religions: Christianity, Islam
• Monetary unit: Ugandan Shilling
• More on Uganda from the New Internationalist
• More on Uganda from BBC

PARTNER ORGANISATIONS:

• UPA – Uganda Pioneers’ Association
  www.upa.typepad.com

Youth voluntary organisation working with community projects, national and international Workcamps. The organisation was founded in 1989 by young Ugandans with the aim of mobilising youth to contribute to community development through voluntary work. Their motto is “together we can shape a better future”.

UPA works with 12 Branches in 11 Districts in Uganda. Their projects assist local development projects, including building schools; community work; health; farmer’s centres etc. They also organise practical courses on professional topics for youth and community leaders and run a development education theatre group.

• UVDA – Ugandan Voluntary Development Association www.uvda-uganda.com

UVDA is a non-political, non-sectarian, indigenously inspired and orientated voluntary organization. It is geared towards working for both local and international peace and for the welfare of its members and the community through workcamps and other social services.

TYPES OF PROGRAMMES

• North South

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Visa: British nationals need to have a visa to enter Uganda.  This can be obtained from the Ugandan representation in the UK, or at the International airport at Entebbe (though expect a long queue if travelling at peak holiday times). Please visit www.fco.gov.uk for more information. 
• Arrival info: UPA organise an orientation for volunteers at their head office in Kampala. Details will be provided once your place has been confirmed but participants should aim to arrive two days before the project start-date.
• UVDA recommends that volunteers arrive three or four days before   the project start-date to allow time for acclimatisation. An orientation will be   organised the day before the project starts. Pick-up can be arranged from the a airport after 6pm and for a fee of Euros 30.
• Other: The political situation in Uganda remains tense and there are still areas that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to (notably Northern Uganda and the Karamoja region in North Eastern Uganda). Volunteers interested in participating in a project in Uganda should make sure that they are fully informed of the situation and keep up-to-date of any developments. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk for more information.

PROJECTS AVAILABLE

• Click here to see the projects available in Uganda now

PICTURES

• Pictures from Uganda sent by our volunteers
• Read the report on a project in Uganda on our NEWSLETTER CHAT. You will need Acrobat reader to view it.
• Read the report of a volunteer on a project in Uganda in 2008