Although Uganda enjoyed a growing economy before the COVID-19 pandemic, not all people were enjoying its benefits. Recent drought, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on food, fuel, and fertilizer prices, are now hitting the poorest people and farmers the hardest.
Since the 1960s, Oxfam has worked to tackle the inequalities that make and keep people in Uganda poor. Oxfam's work reduces inequality in ways that involve the most marginalized women, farmers, youth, and other vulnerable people. We support people in Uganda to survive immediate crises and tackle the long-term effects of inequality and poverty.
Critical areas of Oxfam’s work involve supporting women farmers to understand and secure their right to land, access seeds, and adapt to a changing climate. Oxfam helps youth with business and job training while advocating for changes in the education system. Our research on issues such as the unpaid care work at home that hinders women from being economically and politically engaged produces evidence that Oxfam and our partners use to push for policy change. Major gaps in access to health, education, and other services and resources have held women back for decades, and a major component of Oxfam’s work in Uganda is to address these gender injustices through projects aimed at building the capacity of institutions and people, and promoting women’s leadership and participation.
We work with active citizens who advocate for fair tax policies, and call for revenues from oil, gas, and mining industries to be used for alleviating poverty. Women leaders are crucial in this effort, and we create opportunities for promising women leaders to get more involved in leadership at all levels. All our work has a deliberate focus on the protection and promotion of women's rights, and we campaign to end all violence against women and girls.
What challenges are people in Uganda facing?
28%
Of Ugandans are living in poverty, up from 18% before the 2020 pandemic
1.5 million+
Refugees are currently in Uganda
7.5%
Of Ugandan households moved into poverty in 2020