Our first programmes in the country aimed to control river blindness, a debilitating neglected tropical disease, and to provide rehabilitation and support for people whose sight couldn’t be saved.
In 1994, we opened a dedicated office in Kampala, and the following year we began working to help blind and visually impaired children participate fully in mainstream schools. Since 2010, we have focused on improving local health systems, promoting social inclusion and tackling neglected tropical diseases.
Uganda is also home to our award-winning Connecting the Dots project, which has provided vocational training to young people with disabilities so they can find work and support themselves financially. The project has transformed attitudes to disability, and shows potential employers how hiring people with disabilities could benefit their business.
Sightsavers’ focus in Uganda is to promote social inclusion and tackle neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In 2019, we supported more than 3,000 surgeries for advanced trachoma.
"If they are given the chance of working they can do something good – they surprise you."
Isaac, business owner
Read Isaac’s story
“I wanted to help people because they were dying – I want to save my community and give them medicine.”
Ajuna Socia, local volunteer
Read Ajuna’s story
“Radio allows people to ask questions, and it spreads awareness among a bigger group of people.”
William Mugayo, district worker
Read the story
As the 17-year-long Seeing is Believing project comes to an end, Imran Khan goes behind the scenes to reveal why it has made such an impact.
Meet the teams that Sightsavers partners with around the world to help them foster more disability inclusive workplaces.
The report highlights the progress made since the strategy was published and shows the key lessons that have been learnt during that time.
Sightsavers' innovative campaign app allowed staff in programme countries to collect petition signatures from people living in areas without internet coverage.
Isaac Bolingo is training young people with disabilities to be mechanics in his garage.
A graduate of Sightsavers’ innovative Connecting the Dots training programme is standing for election as a local council chairperson in Masindi district, Uganda.