Eine Frau verkauft Früchte auf dem Markt.

Uganda – the Pearl of Africa

Winston Churchill said of Uganda that it was the "Pearl of Africa". The East African country has fertile soils and is rich in water thanks to many large lakes, such as Lake Victoria. Despite this, Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world.

A land of unique beauty ...

Ugandische Landschaft mit Bäumen im Vordergrund und einem See im Hintergrund.

Uganda impresses with its diversity: from large lakes and snow-capped mountain ranges to tropical plains, the East African country offers spectacular natural scenery.

A country could hardly be more diverse: While Mount Stanley in the west, at 5,109 metres, is the third highest mountain in Africa with snow-capped peaks and glaciers, the largest lake on the continent - Lake Victoria, with its exceptional biodiversity - can be found in the south-east. The landscape is characterised by vast savannahs as well as lush rainforests.

Wildlife worth protecting

Ten national parks also preserve a unique animal world. Among other things, half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is also home to the Uganda red antelope. What makes it unique: With a length of up to 1.80 metres, it is one of the largest antelope species.

Almost 77 per cent of people in Uganda live in rural areas.
Rare elsewhere, tree-climbing lions are normal in Uganda.
A typical Ugandan house in the countryside.
Uganda offers a colourful and diverse world of foods and spices.

... and many challenges

Those who are particularly poor in developing countries are more likely to develop a disability. Malnutrition or a lack of healthcare systems can be responsible for people developing disabilities.

Despite its diversity, Uganda is still one of the poorest countries in the world. Almost 42 per cent of the population live in extreme poverty. On top of this, the disease AIDS has caused much suffering. Because so many people have died from it, almost half of the population is now under the age of 15.

Poverty is a cause and consequence of disability

Almost 42.9 million people live in Uganda. Over twelve per cent of the population have a disability: more than five million people! They are also the most affected by the high poverty rate in the country. More than a third of all Ugandans have to get by on less than two dollars a day.

CBM in Uganda

CBM has been active in Uganda since 1971 and currently supports eleven projects focusing on ophthalmology and orthopaedics. CBM's work in Uganda includes the Mengo Eye Clinic and the CoRSU project with orthopaedic and reconstructive plastic surgery and associated rehabilitation programmes.

As most people in Uganda live in rural areas that are difficult to access, mobile teams are on the road on behalf of CBM to find people in need of medical help or to carry out educational work in even the most remote areas.

Our partner projects in Uganda 2024

Thanks to CBM donors, the eye department at Mengo Hospital has been expanded.

Partner: Community Empowerment for Rural Development

Inclusive emergency aid initiative to improve health services and hygiene in refugee and host communities in West Nile Uganda.

Partner: Benedictine

Strengthening inclusive eye health care in Eastern Uganda - with training of eye care professionals.

Partner: CoRSU (Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda)

Prevention and treatment of disabilities.

Partner: National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda

Integration of persons with disabilities into the labour market after Covid-19

Partner: Church of Uganda

Improving care for all patients with cataracts in western and south-western Uganda

Partner: Benedictine

Establishment of a comprehensive paediatric department at the Benedictine Eye Hospital

Partner: Church of Uganda

Specialised treatment and care for children with retinoblastoma (eye cancer) in southwestern Uganda.

Partner: Albinism Umbrella

Project for sustainable, inclusive livelihoods and ophthalmological care

Uganda at a glance

Die ugandische Hauptstadt Kampala bei Nacht.

Around two million people live in the Ugandan capital Kampala. The name means something like "hill of the antelopes".

Area: 241,500 km²
Population: 47.1 million (4)
Capital: Kampala
Climate: tropical highlands
Languages: English, Swahili, other languages such as Luganda¹
Religion: approx. 80 per cent Christians, almost 14 per cent Muslims¹
Life expectancy: 59.3 years² (Germany: 80.6²)
Infant mortality rate: 43 per 1,000³ (Germany: 3 per 1,000³)
Human DeveIopment Index: 146th out of 191²
Proportion of extremely poor people: 41.6 per cent (as of 2016)³

Sources: ¹ Federal Foreign Office; ² Human Development Index Report 2021/2022; ³Country data from the World Bank 2020; (4) Country data from the World Bank 2021

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