uganda country information - Food for the Hungry

Country Profile:

Uganda, named "The Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill, is a lush and fertile country on the equator in the heart of Africa, bordered by Kenya to the East, Democratic Republic of Congo to the West, and Rwanda to the South. Despite its relatively small size, Uganda has a remarkably diverse landscape: the Kigezi highlands commonly referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa;" the legendary snow-capped (including glaciers) Rwenzori Mountains; an extinct volcano, Mt. Elgon and the still active Virunga volcanoes, home of the mountain gorillas. There are dense tropical forests, rolling savannas, fresh water lakes and breathtaking waterfalls. Uganda is home to the second largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Victoria, the source of the river Nile.

Country Profile:

Uganda’s reputation as "Africa’s Friendliest People" stems from a tradition of hospitality, a remarkable low level of crime, and courtesy towards tourists. Uganda has been a cultural melting pot for more than 30 indigenous languages belonging to five distinct linguistic groups.

Population:

27 million.

Ethnic Groups:

Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basonga 8% others 67%

Languages:

English is the official language. Luganda is widely spoken, as are Swahili and Arabic in certain regions and many indigenous languages as well.

Religions:

Roman Catholics 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslims 16%, Indigenous beliefs 18%.

History:

Until 1886, when Uganda became a British Protectorate, governing was a tribal matter where every tribe or kingdom had its own leaders. There were five kingdoms featured most prominently; the Bunyoro-Kitara, the largest and earliest kingdom that began in the 13th century; the Buganda which was strong militarily and economically; the Ankole which extended into present Tanzania; the Busoga, and most recently the Toro.

These kingdoms had kings as their political and spiritual leaders and were constantly at war until the British arrived in the 1880s. As a British Protectorate, the kingdoms came under intense pressure, began to crumble and disintegrated by 1900.

Uganda attained independence from Britain on October 9, 1962. She became a Republic with a Prime Minister. Shortly after, under the 9-year dictatorial regime of Idi Amin 300,000 Ugandans died. Since 1986, when the NRM government of Yoweri Museveni came into power, several economic and political reforms - including a new constitution in 1995 - have set Uganda on a course for a brighter future.

Economy:

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall and sizeable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy and coffee accounts for the bulk of the export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy. Structural adjustment policies have been implemented, including liberalization, public sector reform, privatization of state-owned enterprises and decentralization. Uganda is now on the firm path of economic and social recovery after emerging from a turbulent political past.

Currency:

Uganda Shilling (Ush)

Exchange Rate:

UGS 1810 to 1USD

History of FHI/Uganda:

Food for the Hungry International Uganda (FHI/ Uganda) began operations in Uganda initially as a branch of FHI/Kenya. At that time, Uganda was beginning to address infrastructure and social damage wrought by thirteen years of civil and liberation wars, as well as the AIDS pandemic. FHI/Uganda helped communities recover by providing relief commodities. Consequently, these commodities helped strengthen household food security through efforts to rehabilitate the prison farm systems. In 1996, the first two Child Development Program Centers were set up in the region. FHI then expanded to include rehabilitating community water systems, primary healthcare in AIDS infected regions, and integrated rural development at a resettlement of internally displaced persons. FHI began working in the Lira region in 1990 with a Water and Sanitation Project. In 1998, FHI established its third Child Development Program center in the Lira region, at the request of the Government. That same year, FHI set up centers in Kitgum and Kapchorwa, in the extreme eastern part of Uganda where cattle raiding had caused insecurity for years. The last center was set up in the Mable district in 1999. FHI’s commitment in Uganda has been focused on holistic ministry - mind, body and soul - with an emphasis on collaborating with church leaders and families.

Overview of one month program:

Students will begin their Practicum with a one-week orientation in Jinja, followed by three weeks in either Kumi, Kapchorwa, Mbale or Soroti. At the end of the three weeks, students will return to Jinja for a time of reporting and discussion.

Team 1:

Week 1 -- Orientation, HIV-AIDS Projects (Kampala)
Weeks 2-4 -- Kumi

Team 2:

Week 1 -- Orientation, HIV-AIDS Projects (Kampala)
Weeks 2-4 -- Kapchorwa

Team 3:

Week 1 -- Orientation, HIV-AIDS Projects (Kampala)
Weeks 2-4 -- Mbale

Team 4:

Week 1 -- Orientation, HIV-AIDS Projects (Kampala)
Weeks 2-4 -- Soroti

Preparatory Week:

Orientation (1st week) -- Upon their arrival, all intern students will have a one-week orientation prior to the field program.

(DAY 1) Introduce students to Food for the Hungry Ugandan Country Director and managers to learn about the work in Uganda.
(DAY 2) HIV-AIDS: Visit NGOs working with vulnerable people and children in the capital.
(DAY 3) Preparation workshop
(DAY 4)Preparation workshop
(DAY 5)Library time

Debriefing:

Kampala (2 Day) After three weeks in the field, students will return to Jinja for two days of reflection, writing, sharing, and evaluating data with the Country Director and Food for the Hungry managers.

Specific requirements for interns placed on FHI/ Uganda field:

Adjusting to limited resources (i.e. water and electricity)
Working with translators
Patience in adapting to a different-paced lifestyle
Enthusiasm in working with local families, leaders and churches
Willingness for communal life, little personal privacy (e.g. share meals/bedroom/tent)
Creativity and adaptability
Empathy/sympathy for children who are victims of HIV/AIDS
Desire to communicate Christ cross-culturally
Openness to learn from other cultures
Courage to transform values
Teachable heart in relating to local people

Medical facilities and availability:

There are several local clinics available for minor sickness and injury.
The hospitals for emergency and extensive care are in the regional town or Kampala. MAF transportation to hospitals is available for emergency care.

Practicum Site I: Kumi (max 2 students)

Practicum Site II: Kapchorwa (max 4 students)

Practicum Site III: Mbale (max 3 students)

Practicum Site IV: Soroti (max 4 students)