Uganda
Sightsavers’ focus in Uganda is to promote social inclusion and tackle neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In 2018 we distributed 283,000 NTD treatments and helped to carry out 6,400 sight-saving operations.
Sightsavers, originally known as the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, started working in Uganda in 1954.
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.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
How we’re making a difference in Uganda
Challenging stereotypes
"Disability is not inability. It does not stop you from doing any work another person can perform."
Isaac, employment programme graduate. Read Isaac’s story
Reaching local people
“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
Raising awareness
“Radio allows people to ask questions, and it spreads awareness among a bigger group of people.”
William Mugayo, district worker
Read the story
Your donation could help change lives
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Groundbreaking new programme will enable 2,000 people with disabilities to get better jobs
The Inclusion Works programme, funded by UK aid and led by Sightsavers, will create job opportunities for more than 2,000 people with disabilities.
Charles’s story
Charles Ahumuza, who is partially sighted, reveals how Sightsavers' inclusive employment programme in Uganda has helped him to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming an electrician.
How I’m building a career as a blind person in Uganda
Deus Turyatemba of Standard Chartered shares his story of career progression, and explains the bank’s partnership with Sightsavers’ Inclusion Works programme.
Putting people at the centre of our work to eliminate neglected tropical diseases
Sightsavers' river blindness and lymphatic filariasis programme has delivered 60 million treatments in four countries. Here’s what we’ve learned from the project.
Treating hard-to-reach people: what we’ve learned from CATCH
The Coordinated Approach to Community Health programme, which finished in March 2019, has restored the sight of more than 21,000 people and generated a wealth of knowledge.
Sightsavers marks 50th anniversary of Mount Kilimanjaro expedition
On 20 February 1969, Sightsavers supported men with visual impairments on an expedition to raise awareness about blindness.
Gladys’s story
Gladys Atto is an everyday hero, saving sight and building long-term eye health services in Uganda. She’s one of the talented cataract surgeons whose training you’ve supported.
January updates: highlights from around the world
Featuring news about a teacher from Nigeria who has been trained to check her students’ eyes. Plus updates from Mozambique, Uganda and more.
November updates: highlights from around the world
News about a programme that has distributed more than 137,000 pairs of glasses across eight countries. Plus updates from Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more.
October updates: highlights from around the world
In October, celebrations took place in many of Sightsavers' programme countries to mark World Sight Day. Plus news from Kenya, Mozambique and more.
Okello’s story
After seeing many of his friends and family lose their sight to river blindness, Okello Charles volunteered to become a ‘fly catcher’, helping to eliminate the flies that spread the disease.
14 areas in Uganda now free from river blindness
Nearly four million people are now free from the threat of the disease, the Uganda National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee has announced.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work