Winston Churchill once stated that "Uganda is the pearl of Africa" in reference to the country's striking natural beauty, climate, and variety of rich landscapes. Unfortunately, the country currently ranks as one of the 20 poorest nations in the world and 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

This translates to a lack of basic infrastructure such as running water, electricity, waste management, health care, and education. Since 80 percent of employment is based in agriculture, mild climate changes have devastating effects, forcing many Ugandans deeper into poverty. Further compounding these development issues is HIV/AIDS, which to date infects one million citizens and has created three million orphans.

Click here to read an overview about development issues in Uganda.

FSD runs two Uganda programs that are situated near the north (Jinja) and west (Masaka) shores of Lake Victoria. Jinja is the capital of the Jinja District (pop. 110,000) and the reputed "source of the Nile." The area is a popular destination for travelers due to its physical beauty and exceptional river rafting. The city itself (80 km from Kampala) is a major commercial and industrial center that is connected by rail to Mombasa, Kenya and the Indian Ocean.

Masaka is also the regional capital of the Masaka District (pop. 70,000) and straddles the Equator, 130 kilometers from Kampala. The town is an agricultural hub and important commercial center for the surrounding rich coffee growing area. Masaka suffered greatly during the 1979 Civil War that overthrew Idi Amin. Scars of the war are visible throughout the region, from destroyed municipal buildings to constant reminders of poverty. However, the growing number of community-based organizations are making significant changes to Masaka.

FSD works with more than 30 community-based organizations in the Jinja and Masaka districts to support sustainable development and provide opportunity for interns, volunteers, and donors to make a lasting impact at the community level. Read about our Community Partners to learn about their work in Uganda and how you can get involved.

For a description of the opportunities available in each development subject addressed by FSD in Uganda, click on the links below:

Microfinance • Environment • Health • Youth and Education
Women's Empowerment • Community Development • Human Rights