Uganda

Photo by Rebke Klokke 

Approximately 72% of Uganda’s inhabitants are involved in agricultural activities as the country is home to fertile soils, ample rainfall and a number of vital natural resources which have helped Uganda’s economy remain relatively stable. Despite this, 21% of Ugandans still lack access to clean water and 20% live below the poverty line.

Uganda is a nation with a population of approximately 38 million located in Eastern Africa and bordered by South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda gained independence from Britain in 1962, and was known for extreme instability through much of the 1980s and 1990s – especially under the oppressive dictator Idi Amin. Now, Uganda is much more stable and has gained strength economically, although increasing oppression of homosexuals and the long reign of Museveni and his “no-party system” are the cause of some international concern.

Photo by Rebke Klokke 

Our Work in Uganda

In Africa, The Hunger Project works to build sustainable community-based programs using the Epicentre Strategy. An epicentre is a dynamic centre of community mobilisation and action, as well as an actual facility built by community members. Through the Epicentre Strategy 15,000-25,000 people are brought together as a cluster of rural villages — giving villages more clout with local government than a single village is likely to have and increasing a community’s ability to collective utilise resources. The epicentre building serves as a focal point where the motivation, energies and leadership of the people converge with the resources of local government and non-governmental organisations. Over an eight-year period, an epicentre addresses hunger and poverty and moves along a path toward sustainable self-reliance, at which point it is able to fund its own activities and no longer requires financial investment from The Hunger Project.

Photo by Rebke Klokke 

Uganda has 11 epicentres which serve 494 villages in total, with a population of 287,807.

The Hunger Project has been working in Uganda since 1999 and is currently empowering community partners in 11 epicentre areas to end their own hunger and poverty. Through its integrated approach to rural development, the Epicentre Strategy, The Hunger Project is working with community partners to successfully access the basic services needed to lead lives of self-reliance and achieve internationally agreed-upon markers of success, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Check out satellite views of our epicentre sites in Uganda. See them here: