Uganda

••• Country Profile: Why Uganda

     

Uganda is entering a new development phase under the Fourth National Development Plan, which places household income, employment, industrialisation, and sustainable socio-economic transformation at the centre of national progress. This ambition matters deeply for rural communities, where household wellbeing depends on access to health services, productive livelihoods, safe digital tools, clean energy, water, public services, and meaningful participation in local decision-making. Despite national progress, many households still face poverty and service gaps. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics’ 2023/2024 National Household Survey covers poverty, food security, health, education, financial services, household enterprises, and refugee and host community wellbeing, showing why rural and vulnerable communities require targeted support. The World Bank also estimates that Uganda’s poverty level declined only modestly to 51.5% in FY2024/2025 from 52.9% in FY2023/2024, which confirms that growth must reach households more directly.

     

Health risks remain a major concern, especially for women, adolescents, newborns, and people living far from quality services. The World Health Organization reports Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio at about 189 deaths per 100,000 live births. It also notes that one in four girls aged 15–19 is pregnant or already a mother, and that teenage pregnancy accounts for about 20% of overall maternal deaths. These figures show the continued need for community health education, maternal health information, SRHR awareness, menstrual health support, referral pathways, and stronger work with Village Health Teams and local health actors. Uganda is also one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting countries. The World Bank notes that Uganda hosts close to two million refugees, while UNHCR reporting points to growing pressure on education and social services for refugees and host communities. In refugee-hosting districts, families often share the same health facilities, schools, land, water sources, and livelihood opportunities. This creates a strong need for approaches that strengthen both refugee and host community resilience, especially for women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities.

     

Digital access and civic space are now central to community resilience. Uganda’s digital economy is growing, but rural communities still face gaps in affordable connectivity, digital skills, safe internet use, and trusted access to digital services. At the same time, civil society actors, journalists, human rights defenders, community organisers, women leaders, youth groups, and local advocates need safe channels to report threats, document restrictions, access referrals, and participate in public life without fear. The UN Uganda Annual Results Report 2024 identifies human rights, economic inclusion, climate action, education, food security, health, and gender equality as core areas of development progress and continued need. Climate change adds further pressure on rural households and public services. The World Bank’s Uganda Country Climate and Development Report identifies Uganda as highly vulnerable to climate change, facing risks such as droughts and floods. The report also highlights that among the poorest households exposed to climate shocks, many already experience income loss. This directly affects agriculture, food security, WASH, rural health services, schools, and community infrastructure.

     

Rural Smiles Foundation responds through an integrated, community-led approach. From our headquarters in Kibaale District and our nationwide mandate, we work with rural women, youth, refugees, girls, widows, persons with disabilities, Village Health Teams, local governments, civil society actors, public institutions, and community leaders to strengthen health rights, economic empowerment, digital inclusion, civic space resilience, clean energy, and climate adaptation. Our work starts with listening, builds on community trust, and supports practical solutions that local people can own.

   

     

Our Uganda work is grounded in one belief: rural development cannot be achieved through isolated interventions. Communities need connected solutions that improve health, income, digital access, civic participation, clean energy, WASH, safety, and resilience together.

   

     Reference basis: Uganda Bureau of Statistics National Household Survey 2023/2024; World Bank Uganda country and climate reporting; World Health Organization Uganda maternal and adolescent health reporting; UNHCR Uganda refugee reporting; UN Uganda Annual Results Report 2024; and Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan.