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COUNTRY CONTEXT
Uganda is a country located in East Africa, with more than 47 million people. Its population is predominantly young, with more than 75% of the inhabitants under 30 years of age. Despite its wealth of natural and cultural resources, Uganda faces numerous socio-economic challenges that significantly affect children, youth and women. Below you can find out more about the situation of orphanhood, the situation of children and youth, the situation of women and mental health diagnosis in Uganda .
ORPHANHOOD SITUATION
Uganda faces a significant crisis regarding the number of orphans, one of the highest in the world. According to recent estimates, there are approximately 2.5 million orphans in Uganda . Here are the main causes contributing to the increasing number of orphans in Uganda:
Disrupted families and the situation of stepparents: Another concerning issue is the vulnerability of children living with stepparents, a common reality due to polygamy and the high mortality rates of parents. In many cases, after the death of one parent, the surviving spouse starts a new relationship, bringing a stepparent into the home. Unfortunately, these new family members are not always committed to the well-being of their partner’s children. Often, these children are viewed as a financial and emotional burden, and stepparents may prioritize their own biological children, perceiving stepchildren as competitors for scarce resources. This dynamic can lead to physical and emotional mistreatment, and even sexual abuse, leaving these children without support or protection.
Children with disabilities: In many cases, these children are perceived by their families and communities as bearers of bad luck or victims of curses. As a result, they are often isolated, rejected, or even abandoned.
Extreme poverty : Widespread poverty in Uganda contributes significantly to the number of orphans. Many families live in extreme poverty, limiting their access to basic medical services. This results in the premature death of many parents from treatable diseases or preventable accidents. In addition, alcoholism and suicide exacerbate the situation, leaving many children without parental care. Lack of resources means that some parents are forced to abandon their children, unable to provide even the most basic needs.​
AIDS: Many children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS, leaving them orphaned and without the necessary support and protection for their development.
Conflict and violence: Armed conflict, especially in northern Uganda, has left thousands of children orphaned. The aftermath of war includes forced displacement, loss of life and the disintegration of family structures, increasing the number of children without parents or in broken families.​
Social protection systems in Uganda are weak and scarce, meaning that most orphans do not receive support. Institutions such as orphanages and care centres are overstretched and underfunded. As a result, many non-governmental organisations work to improve the living conditions of these children through care, education, health and empowerment programmes. However, the scale of the problem requires continued effort and broad collaboration to ensure that these children have the opportunity for a better future.
This orphanage in Uganda would be a fundamental step towards making a difference in the lives of these children, offering them not only a stable, safe home, shelter and care, but also opportunities for education and development that are crucial for their future and that of the community.
MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS AND NEEDS IN UGANDA
Mental health in Uganda is a matter of great concern, especially given the adverse conditions that affect many people from childhood. It is estimated that a significant proportion of the population faces emotional and psychological problems, exacerbated by extreme poverty, violence, trauma and lack of access to adequate services.
1. Impact of childhood on mental health
A crucial aspect of the mental health problem in Uganda is the type of childhood that many children experience :
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Violence and abuse : Many children witness or experience physical, sexual or psychological violence in their homes, which has devastating effects on their mental and emotional health.
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Neglect and lack of care: In families with limited resources, children do not receive adequate care, both in terms of physical and emotional needs, which aggravates their vulnerability.
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Hopelessness and trauma: Growing up in environments where survival is a daily struggle can lead to feelings of hopelessness and trauma, with no safe space to seek support or express emotions.
2. Lack of support and resources
In Uganda, mental health services are either non-existent or extremely limited, especially in rural areas. A shortage of trained professionals and a lack of mental health education contribute to stigmatization and a lack of understanding of these issues .
3. Long-term consequences
Without adequate support, children growing up in these difficult circumstances can develop a range of emotional and psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders , perpetuating a cycle of suffering and hopelessness. Furthermore, in many cases, these children tend to repeat the patterns of abuse and trauma they suffered in their childhood, thus perpetuating a cycle of intergenerational pain and suffering.
The orphanage project responds to the urgent need for educational, emotional and psychological services in an environment marked by a lack of infrastructure and economic challenges. By providing a family and a safe place, we seek to improve the living conditions of vulnerable children through comprehensive education and the support necessary to overcome trauma and develop sound mental health. In this way, the general well-being of the community is promoted, creating a positive and sustainable impact on its future.
SITUATION of children and youth
In Uganda, about 82.1% of children have access to primary education, but a large percentage drop out before completing this stage, and only 25.1% continue with secondary education. In rural areas, children and youth face serious limitations in their educational development due to several systemic and cultural deficiencies:
Limited access to education and poor conditions: Rural families typically have an average of six children, but due to limited financial resources, many prioritize the education of the child they consider most capable of studying, leaving others unable to attend school or limiting their attendance to just a few years. Those who do manage to attend public schools face overcrowded classrooms, poor infrastructure, lack of basic resources, and a shortage of qualified teachers. In addition, teachers are frequently absent due to lack of payment by the state, affecting the quality of teaching .
Child labour and lack of future opportunities: Child labour is a daily reality for many children, who from a very early age must work in agricultural, domestic or even hazardous jobs to contribute to the livelihood of their families. This not only deprives them of education, but also affects their physical and emotional development. Even for those who manage to complete primary education, subsequent opportunities are extremely limited. Without access to technical or vocational training, the informal and poorly paid labour market is the only option for most, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Health impact on children: Children in Uganda are exposed to a high prevalence of diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever, which seriously affect their health. Many children work or attend school even when they are very sick. These conditions negatively impact their ability to learn and contribute to the high infant mortality rate in the country. Lack of adequate medical care and malnutrition worsen this situation, as many children suffer from chronic health problems without receiving the necessary treatment.
Lack of adequate nutrition and daily search for water: Many families live in extreme poverty, which makes it impossible to provide adequate nutrition for their children. Malnutrition is common and affects children's physical and cognitive growth, which in turn affects their ability to learn. In addition, in many rural communities, children must walk long distances to collect drinking water daily, leaving them little time to attend school or engage in other activities.
Unsafe environments and abuse: Many children live in insecure family and community environments, where they are exposed to physical or emotional violence. Abuse in homes and mistreatment at schools are widespread issues. Girls, in particular, are highly vulnerable to exploitation, sexual abuse, and child marriage. These factors exacerbate school dropout rates and severely impact the emotional and psychological well-being of minors.
Lack of an emotionally supportive environment: In traumatic situations, rather than receiving support at home or in school, children with academic or behavioral challenges are often punished. This approach perpetuates a cycle of exclusion and suffering, leaving them without the necessary care to overcome difficulties.
Absence of a reading culture: In rural areas, access to books and educational materials is almost nonexistent. Without role models or structures that encourage reading, children miss out on opportunities to develop literacy and critical thinking skills. This perpetuates a cycle of educational disengagement and limits their potential to improve their circumstances.
Lack of artistic opportunities: Although artistic activities such as music and dance are recognised for their positive impact on emotional development, access to them is limited in the Ugandan education system. Music and dance not only offer an emotional outlet for children facing trauma, but also help to improve their self-esteem, foster creativity and give them a sense of belonging. In a context where many children suffer from trauma, these activities are essential for emotional healing.
Juvenile delinquency and lack of positive role models: Lack of access to quality education, unemployment and economic hardship push many young people into criminal activities such as gangs, petty theft and drug use. The absence of an adult figure to serve as moral and emotional guide, whether due to poverty, illness or lack of parental education, leaves many children without a positive role model, increasing the risk of them engaging in harmful behaviour.
SITUATION OF WOMEN
In Uganda, gender-based violence represents a devastating crisis that disproportionately affects women and girls. It is estimated that around 95% of Ugandan women and girls have experienced physical, sexual or both types of violence since the age of 15. Despite some legislative progress, such as the enactment of laws criminalising female genital mutilation and punishing domestic violence, effective implementation of these laws remains limited. Significant challenges remain, including cultural and legal barriers to women’s ownership and inheritance, and a lack of effective economic measures to enable them to be independent and self-sufficient.
Women in Uganda face significant barriers to accessing education and healthcare services. These barriers are further exacerbated by high rates of early marriages and teenage pregnancies, in addition to high maternal mortality. With one of the highest rates of early marriages in the world, 40% of girls in Uganda marry before the age of 18, and 10% marry before the age of 15. These practices disrupt their education and increase their risk of contracting HIV and experiencing gender-based violence. The country's high adolescent fertility rate, with 108 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 in 2021, is a clear reflection of these ongoing challenges.
In rural Uganda, most women work in the fields or at home, lacking paid employment that would provide them with financial independence. This lack of financial resources leaves them vulnerable, unable to escape abusive relationships where they suffer both physical and psychological abuse.
Many women living in these conditions cannot find the support they need to leave their homes. Often, they resign themselves to living in intolerable situations, believing that this is what they deserve or that there is no other viable option.
Furthermore, many girls are forced to drop out of primary or secondary school prematurely. This may be due to family financial pressures or the perception that investing in their daughter's education, if she is not excelling in school, is not a priority. As a result, these young girls face an uncertain and limited future, often being seen as an economic burden on their families. In an attempt to alleviate this burden, some girls are married off at a young age to men who do not value them or care for their well-being, thus perpetuating a cycle of inequality and abuse.