Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa, famous for hosting the source of the River Nile in Jinja. The country is made up of different kingdoms, and nine major ethnic groups. Uganda gained independence in 1962.
Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world. Challenges are faced by people living in both urban and rural Uganda. In the main cities, there are large slum dwellings where people move to the city in hope of a better life but find the reality is very different. Rural areas also suffer from weak economies and limited jobs.
International Needs Uganda (IN Uganda) has been ongoing for over 25 years and is based in Buikwe District, 75km from the capital Kampala. This is a rural community where many families live in poverty and face numerous challenges. IN Uganda wants to see real and sustainable change for families in Buikwe and neighbouring districts.
The work in Buikwe began during the HIV/Aids pandemic in 1994, when IN Uganda began a Child Sponsorship programme, providing orphaned children with access to education. IN Uganda now runs four schools and provides sponsorship for over 3,000 children.
IN Uganda has also ventured into other ways to combat local poverty through various community development projects, including building Makonge Health Centre, running a five-year HIV/Aids prevention programme, pastor training, a four-year farming project and, most recently, education for children with disabilities, and a Water and Sanitation Project.
Country director
Reverend Justus Miwanda
Justus is the Executive Director of International Needs Uganda. He originally trained as a teacher, and then later studied health administration and Business studies. Justus is also an Anglican minister co-pastoring a church St Johns Kampala.
