Uganda Facts

Oli otya! That’s how you say “hello” in Luganda, one of the most commonly spoken languages in Uganda. This country is known as the “Pearl of Africa” for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture. Learn more facts about Uganda here.

five Facts About Uganda

Here are five fun facts about Uganda:

  1. Uganda is a haven for endangered mountain gorillas. Did you know these gorillas can weigh over 400 pounds?
  2. Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, is shared by Uganda, along with Kenya and Tanzania.
  3. Uganda is home to the Kasubi Tombs, a preserved cultural site featuring beautiful traditional architecture.
  4. Uganda is incredibly diverse, with over 50 indigenous tribes.
  5. One of the main ways to travel in Uganda is via boda-boda, a motorcycle or bicycle that’s used like a taxi.

Where is Uganda?

Uganda is located in East Africa. Uganda is bordered by five other countries: Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Key Challenges in Uganda & Our Response

Uganda is known for its many unique cultures and lush landscapes. However, Uganda is also home to children living in devastating poverty, and they face serious challenges that Compassion is fighting back against.

Natural Disasters Threaten Children

Many regions in Africa, including Uganda, regularly face disasters. For example, the Karamoja region of Uganda is no stranger to poor growing seasons. Other regions face flooding during the rainy season that destroys homes and crops.

When these disasters strike, children face exposure to the elements, severe hunger and emotional trauma.

Our Response: Caring for Children & Communities Facing Crises

Compassion partners with local churches throughout these African communities to provide emergency food and water, temporary shelter, counseling, medical care and future disaster preparedness training to children and families.

Crises like natural disasters often push children and families further into poverty. But by providing both short-term and long-term care, we help them stay on track toward escaping its grip.

Malnutrition & Lack of Medical Care Cause Preventable Deaths

Recent data shows that sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of infant mortality in the world at 27 deaths per 1,000 live births. Malnutrition and a lack of quality medical care for moms and their babies is a large part of the problem.

Our Response: Delivering Nutrition & Medical Care to Mothers & Babies

Compassion’s local church partners provide care to mothers and babies through our Survival programs. These programs offer pregnant moms access to important health services and support like prenatal vitamins, food packets and checkups.

Survival programs also cover delivery costs and provide emotional support for families during childbirth. Support continues through the child’s first year of life, until they’re eligible to receive long-term care through child sponsorship.

This care ensures moms and babies have what they need to not just survive but thrive together.

Children sit in the grass laughing and playing

A group of children laugh and smile on the grass at their child development center.

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Two young boys stand against a wall as they play and laugh

Two young boys stand against a wall as they play and laugh.

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A group of girls dance at their child development center

A group of girls joyfully perform a dance at their child development center.

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A boy smiles and holds a small goat on his shoulders

A young boy smiles and holds a baby goat.

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A group of children play on a playground

Children play on the playground at their child development center.

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A boy stands near water

A boy stands by the water in a fishing village in Uganda.

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Students in a classroom listening

Children listen and learn while in the classroom.

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A boy smiles and washes his hands with clean water

A young boy smiles while running his hands under a stream of water.

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Boys make a soccer ball out of strips of plants

Boys make a soccer ball out of strips of plants.

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A mother sits with her child on their bed under a mosquito net

A mother sits with her child on their bed under a mosquito net.

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Our Impact in Uganda

Compassion has served children and families in Uganda for over four decades. In this time, we’ve helped release thousands of children from poverty through child sponsorship.

140,181

children served (and counting)

486

churches serving

43

years of serving

Abandoned for Christ, Loved by the Church

Hajarah and her children were abandoned by her husband after she became a Christian. They were left sick, homeless and hopeless until the local church stepped in.

Compassion Alumna Rescues Ugandan Girls From Abuse

As a child, Doreen experienced the heartbreak of poverty. Wanting to serve God and give back to her community, she now runs an organization in Uganda that saves girls from trafficking and abuse.

How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Uganda

You can join Compassion’s fight against child poverty in Uganda in three key ways:

  • Pray: Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift children living in poverty up in prayer, God hears us, and we can trust he's working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.
  • Donate: Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.
  • Sponsor a Child: By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to meet the critical needs of a child's body, mind and spirit as they journey out of poverty. Through sponsorship, you'll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. But most importantly, you'll help introduce them to the hope of the gospel, which changes everything.