Uganda

KETAAKETI works in Uganda with the local non-governmental organization Charity Action (since 2024)together.

KETAAKETI works in Uganda with the local non-governmental organization

Charity Action (since 2024)together

Why Uganda?

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania to the south, Rwanda to the southwest, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. With a nominal gross national product of 908 US dollars per capita, Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Why Uganda?

From 1966 to 1986, under the governments of Milton Obote and especially Idi Amin, the country was exposed to severe human rights violations, civil war-like conditions and economic decline.

The country has been ruled by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986, and under his rule there were also human rights violations and involvement in internal military conflicts in neighboring countries.

There have been conflicts with the DR Congo since the presence of Ugandan troops in eastern Congo between 1997 and 2003. Uganda is directly affected by the instability in Congo, including the infiltration of armed militias into its territory and the flow of refugees from the neighboring country.

From 1966 to 1986, under the governments of Milton Obote and especially Idi Amin, the country was exposed to severe human rights violations, civil war-like conditions and economic decline.

The country has been ruled by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986, and under his rule there were also human rights violations and involvement in internal military conflicts in neighboring countries.

Relations with Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya are working perfectly. A large part of Uganda's foreign trade is handled via ports in Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda pursues a pragmatic foreign policy whose priorities are regional integration, increasing prosperity and maintaining national security in line with the positions of the African Union. As a result, a certain calm and economic recovery have set in over the last 10 years. The economy in the south and centre of the country is prospering. The main export product is - as it was during the British protectorate - coffee, which accounts for 20-30% of export earnings. Tourism is also becoming more important.

With over 1.5 million refugees in the country, Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa in 2022. Most of the refugees come from South Sudan, and over 880,000 people fled from there to Uganda. Around 500,000 more refugees crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo because of the daily violence and insecurity. In addition, there are tens of thousands of refugees from Burundi and Somalia in Uganda.

Most refugees live in smaller settlements after their escape. Over 80% of them are women and children.

Uganda's progressive refugee policy gives refugees the right to self-determination, to work and start a business, and to access basic services such as health care and education, but the large number of refugees Uganda has hosted is putting a heavy strain on the country's resources.

From 1966 to 1986, under the governments of Milton Obote and especially Idi Amin, the country was exposed to severe human rights violations, civil war-like conditions and economic decline.

The country has been ruled by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni since 1986, and under his rule there were also human rights violations and involvement in internal military conflicts in neighboring countries.

Most refugees live in smaller settlements after their escape. Over 80% of them are women and children.

Uganda's progressive refugee policy gives refugees the right to self-determination, to work and start a business, and to access basic services such as health care and education, but the high number of refugees Uganda has hosted is putting a heavy strain on the country's resources.

CHARITY ACTION

Most refugees live in smaller settlements after their escape. Over 80% of them are women and children.

Uganda's progressive refugee policy gives refugees the right to self-determination, to work and start a business, and to access basic services such as health care and education, but the high number of refugees Uganda has hosted is putting a heavy strain on the country's resources.

CHARITY ACTION

The non-governmental organization (NGO) Charity Action was founded at the end of 2019 and certified by the authorities of the Isingiro District. Since its inception, it has been committed to supporting refugees living in the "Nakivale Refugee settlement". In 2022, this numbered 148,000 people, 77% of whom were women and children. Since the support from the World Food Program for the refugees living there was drastically reduced in 2018-2020, Charity Action set itself the task of supporting refugee women economically through vocational training, agriculture and training, thus enabling them to improve their living conditions.

In cooperation with the Ugandan government, Charity Action established the VSLA (Village Savings and Loans Association), a grassroots banking, credit and savings scheme for rural communities, in which a maximum of thirty women come together at a time. The solidarity of these women is immense, but there is a lack of capital to achieve really decisive improvements. Here, both Charity Action and KETAAKETI saw good opportunities for cooperation and started the first microfinance groups in early 2024.