Uganda

Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an economy that is largely reliant on agriculture. Nine million people live below the poverty line, with young people disproportionately affected by both poverty and poor health. Key issues are:     

• High unemployment and underemployment
• Low education enrolment and retention, particularly among girls
• High prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV and AIDS
• Lack of youth-friendly health services, including family planning
• Gender-based violence, with limited support for those affected

In addition, negative perceptions of youth result in young people being persistently excluded from the local and national planning & decision making processes that directly affect their lives.

2009 highlights included:

• Reaching over 38,000 young people in Eastern and Northern Uganda
• Training and supporting 74 long-term volunteer peer educators who in turn delivered over 1,500 youth-led sessions building skills of their peers
• Building the capacity of and supporting over 100 service-providers and community-based organisations

We are also well-aligned with the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, through comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and activities, as well as a strong referral system linked to local health institutions.  We are in a strategic position to contribute to Uganda’s universal access targets for HIV and AIDS prevention, care, treatment and social support by 2012.  

In 2010, we will expand to 3-5 new districts within Eastern and North-Eastern Uganda. We will also adapt our Youth Empowerment Programme for urban areas.