Uganda

Map & Basic Information

Area

241,000 square kilometers
Population

44.27 million (World Bank, 2019)
Capital

Kampala
Ethnicity

Baganda, Lango, Acholi, etc.
Language

English, Swahili, Luganda
Religion

Christianity (60%), traditional religions (30%), Islam (10%)

Source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Issues to be addressed

Since 1990s, the western region of Uganda has been hosting approximately 420,000 refugees who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), of which political and ethnic situation remains unstable. In refugee settlements, children are deprived of educational opportunities due to economic poverty and their parents’ lack of understanding on the importance of education. Children, especially those who live apart from their parents, girls, and children with disabilities, are exposed to various risks.

Activities

Education

DRC refugee children studying at school in a refugee settlement.

AAR Japan provides education support in western Uganda, where the number of refugees has increased and suffer shortage of educational facilities and scholastic material supplies. In order to create a safe study environment for children, we construct schools, distributes textbooks, and organizes trainings on school management targeting parents and local residents.

Support for victims of landmines
and unexploded ordnance

A landmine survivor who became able to walk again after receiving a prosthetic leg

In the aftermath of the civil war lasted for more than two decades, a large number of landmines and unexploded ordnance are still left in northern Uganda. Survivors with disabilities have been forced to live a difficult life. The victims lost their job and had to let go of their homes or land to raise money for medical treatment. We provide livelihood support and medical treatment to the victims in the areas with frequent accidents caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Prevention of coronavirus infection

Volunteer Congolese refugee man receiving mask

AAR worked to prevent COVID-19 infections among South Sudanese and Congolese refugees living in refugee settlements as well as the residents of host communities. The intervention also aimed to alleviate the social and economic challenges associated with the spread of infectious diseases. We distributed masks, soap, and other hygiene products in Kyangwali refugee settlements and host communities. In addition, we conducted information sharing and awareness activities on hygiene and sanitation to spread knowledge on preventing infectious diseases.

Major Activities in Past

2016 - 2021

Education support

We have continually provided educational facilities and scholastic material supplies to refugee children from DRC and South Sudan. We have also trained teachers and refugee leaders to promote education especially for girls and children with disabilities.