Uganda updates July 2025

As we enter the second half of 2025, our team in Uganda is hard at work delivering life-changing programs, and it’s all thanks to your ongoing support. We know the world feels heavy right now, with rising costs and global crises never far from view. That’s why we’re especially grateful for your generosity and commitment. Despite the challenges, your support continues to drive powerful impact.

Below, you’ll find updates from each of our key projects. So grab a cuppa, take a moment, and be inspired by the stories you're helping write.

Kristina Health Centre

Did you know that the Kristina Health Centre operates services outside of the main clinic building to build community and connect with the most rural? These patients likely have never accessed care in their lives and have probably never attended an antenatal appointment!

The team at KHC conduct an ongoing outreach program that runs every Tuesday and Thursday to bring essential health services to up to 300 patients a month.

Antenatal appointments are a key service on offer, with some of these outreach posts being 2.5 hours away in rural villages. In an effort to reduce the maternal mortality rate and improve antenatal care (ANC) uptake, toward the WHO recommended 8 per pregnancy, these villages are consulted and then added to a monthly roster. We are working with some level 1 and 2 government health facilities to deliver care to their community, gaining advice on the highest need in the area.

The 33 Village Health Trainers implemented our malaria reduction program for children under 5 across 17 villages, thanks to a grant from Malaria Partners International. These VHTs as we call them, act as an extension of care at KHC. They are trained on site, hold quarterly meetings and are responsible for continuity of care from clinic to home, and back again if required. Often, in an emergency, it is the VHT member that accompanies a patient until the ambulance arrives, and will do daily check ins once they return home.

Meanwhile, construction for the Level 4 Clinic is in full swing. The new theatre building is taking shape and will soon mean more women can give birth safely.

The new building is at roofing, electrical and plumbing stage, and, once complete, the team will begin the new patient ward. Following this, our current patient ward will be transformed into a maternity ward – labour, delivery, post-natal, feeding rooms, NICU and a kangaroo mother care corner specifically for skin to skin. We have begun the process of looking for skilled staff to work onsite and are in the early stages of looking at acquiring resources and equipment so that each room is adequately supplied.

If you’d like to learn more or contribute to the transition to a Level 4 Clinic, head to the theatre page. You can see the planned changes and how we got here.

Cents for Seeds

We’ve just completed the second seed distribution for the year, with participants from 42 villages receiving simsim (sesame), a fast-growing crop with high yields, making it suitable for both income generation and food on the table. These seeds don’t just produce food; they grow opportunity. Alongside the seed loans, each woman takes part in ongoing agronomy training, and Village Savings and Loan training. The VSLA groups continue to meet weekly, building financial knowledge, strengthening community ties, and generating savings to prepare for the future.

In May, the local team conducted our annual impact survey with Huber Social, which includes direct interviews with women participating in the program.

The results are still being gathered, but our preliminary snapshot shows that a woman in the program had a 50% increase in passion, 25% increase in pride, and a 25% increase in financial planning and saving skills year on year.

We are thrilled to see the measurable impact of Cents for Seeds and can’t wait to continue learning and refining the project directly informed by the feedback of villages involved.

This year’s survey also included data from our irrigation pilot plot and rainwater harvesting systems, helping us better understand how we can support women as they adapt to changing climate conditions, and the key needs associated with water in rural communities. These local insights guide our program development, inform strategic conversation and assist with decision making, particularly in sustainability.

In exciting news, our first round of Agroforestry is about to begin, supported by a local nursery in Lira, and an experienced NGO. We are excited at the potential of this program to build resilience and income for families. It is a long-term solution to the affects of drought, and we hope to report back in a few years on the success. A preliminary trial has shown an incredible return on investment for trees planted just 3 years ago.

Income Generating Groups

Income Generating Groups have continued to grow throughout 2025. Thanks to our incredible community (you!), our local team is preparing to begin another 16 groups, with community consultations and needs assessments already underway. Current projects range from animal rearing to trade skills and larger community agriculture, each designed to support sustainable, diversified sources of income. These efforts are helping to strengthen local economies and equip communities to face the challenge of climate change, especially the impact of reduced harvest yields.

More specifically, the tailoring project in Kumi and Otuke is thriving. It began in 2021 when Program Coordinator Florence Ademun identified a need to support teenagers who had dropped out of school by equipping them with income-generating skills. Since then, it has grown into something remarkable.

The 40 students in this year’s cohort have already learned how to use the sewing machines and are making dresses, shirts, shorts and skirts as they continue to develop their skills across different styles and fashions.

The hairdressing project is also progressing beautifully. Twelve students are learning a wide variety of styles including twist, kiswahili, three three and pencil.

They have been practicing by dying and braiding each other’s hair, while also serving customers in the community.

Florence has been speaking with past students who have started their own businesses in tailoring and are now suppliers of clothing for different communities. These girls have created a future for their families through their hard work. We are excited to see this program continue to grow, targeting a specific vulnerable group in the community.

Well Worth It

It’s an exciting time of year for the Well Worth It project.

In the first few months of 2025, our repair team worked swiftly and skillfully to fix 46 broken wells across northern Uganda, restoring clean, safe drinking water to 4,168 households.

After a pause to service the water vehicle, the team is now gearing up for the next round of repairs as we head into the second half of 2025.

The pilot solar water pump at Teabala-Anepmoroto is also making a powerful difference. The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive. This video shows clean water flowing directly from the pump!

Finally, our well drill program is officially back in action for 2025. Thanks to our incredible partner, Achon Uganda Children’s Fund, and the Clean Water Run Club, who are training hard for the Sydney Marathon in September, we’ve already raised enough funds to drill the very first well of the year. This is a major milestone, and we can’t wait to see the new borehole installed and flowing soon.

Every new and repaired well brings real and lasting change. It means fewer hours spent walking long distances for water, reduced risk of waterborne illness, and more time for children to attend school. It allows woman to focus on tending to their farms, caring for their families and running their businesses.

You can see exactly where each well has been drilled or repaired on the map below!