They say that Africa gets under your skin. The explorer David Livingstone wanted his heart to be buried in this great continent – and so it was. It has many challenges – and behind each one is an opportunity.
Uganda gained independence from the UK in 1962. It takes its name from Buganda, a large region in the south of the country.
Land-locked and bounded by Lake Victoria and by 5 countries – South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo and Rwanda – its 41 million inhabitants speak Swahili, English and around 16 local languages. It’s the same size as the UK and is potentially wealthy with minerals, oil, and agriculture.
However Uganda hasn’t enjoyed an easy development. Ill-health and lack of education, training and infrastructure have offered huge challenges to its people.
Over the years foreign aid and support has been forthcoming but corruption and greed have prevented much of this from finding its target audiences.
Many of the real success stories have emerged from the work of NGOs – Non Governmental Organisations like MTCEA. Often under-funded, these small organisations have put in place some really supportive projects, their measures of success being seen on websites like this. They need your support to make their largely local projects really hit home.
The Country – Uganda
“Oh Uganda, land of beauty!”, their national anthem proudly proclaims. Beauty, yes, and huge challenges everywhere, brought about by decades of mismanagement by governments steeped in endemic corruption. Most people are very welcoming and respectful of foreigners and whilst local vernacular dialects are hard to pick up, most people you’ll be working with have a reasonable command of English.
It’s one constant summer in Uganda but some “seasons” are more rainy than others. July-September is normally drier than other months. Prepare for daily thunder storms, especially in the evening. It doesn’t get cold – the minimum temperature is likely to be around 14’C at night, the maximum 30’C. 
Flush toilets are rare except in large towns. Hot water supply is virtually non-existent as is running water in most places, especially in rural areas. Washing is likely to involve bucket showers with cold water, which is invigorating. Before you head off to Uganda we will supply you with a multitude of useful tips to make your time there as comfortable as possible.
Global President Simon Thomas adds “Here’s a montage of photos from my own volunteer days. I hope these give a feeling for what joys and challenges lie ahead for you. If you look at these in horror and leave these pages in haste, then maybe volunteering in Uganda is not for you. If you look at these with surprise and find yourself inspired by the opportunities to help these wonderful people, then please contact MTCEA right away! Let’s start with this short video in MTCEA’s home town of Iganga. ”
A school visit:
Village visit and dancing:
The motorized corn crusher!
Animal traction gains…. traction, thanks to MTCEA Micro-Finance scheme:
And a slide show of my most memorable moments, mainly amazing and rarely “challenging”!
Profile of Uganda as a Country
- Full name: Republic of Uganda
- Population: 37 million (NTV 2014)
- Capital: Kampala City
- Area: 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)
- Major languages: English (official), Swahili (official), Uganda, Lusoga, various Bantu and Nilotic languages
- Major religions: Christianity, Islam
- Life expectancy: 55 years (men), 56 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: Uganda shilling (Ush)
- Main exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, Simsim, maize, etc
- Head of State: President Yoweri Museveni (From 1986 to date.)
- GNI per capita: US $460 (World Bank, 2009)
- Internet domain: .Ug
- International dialing code: +256
- Uganda is the Youngest Nation in World – over half of the population is under 30.
- Uganda is the Evergreen Country of Africa-the colour green dominates everywhere
- Uganda is Africa’s banana republic – it grows more bananas than any other nation – except Brazil – over 50 varieties – Matoke – a plantation banana is the chief staple in most areas
- Ugandans lay claim to be the friendliest Africans
- Peanuts in Uganda are referred to Ground Nuts – similar to the German name for peanuts which is Erdnuesse – meaning earth nuts
- Uganda is the only country that makes the so called “Rolex” chapatti manufactured from wheat flour and in busoga region makes it better than any other region in the country.
- Uganda’s Official Motto – “For God and my Country”
- Uganda – Home of the Lake Victoria and Source of the Nile – the longest river in the world
- Uganda – Home of the tallest Mountain Range in Africa – The Ruwenzori Mountains
- Uganda has pleasant year-round climate
- Uganda is 26% lakes and rivers
- Uganda has 11% of the birds found in the world – over 1040 species of birds and is home to over half of all Mountain Gorillas in the world.
Multi-Purpose Training and Community Empowerment Association 