Current Projects / Uganda

Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in the world following the devastating dictatorships and civil wars that characterised the 1960s and 1970s. In 1986, when Yoweri Museveni took control of this devastated and bankrupt country, there had been virtually no investment in the education system for thirty years and the population was largely illiterate. The Museveni government, with the support of foreign donors, has attempted to improve education in Uganda with limited success. The introduction of free primary education in 1999 led to a three-fold increase in numbers attending school - from 2.6 million in 1998 to 7.8 million in 2002 – placing huge strain on the education system. The result has been overstretched schools which are simply unable to cope.

In Uganda, we are working closely with Peter Gate, a past AV Volunteer who established Uganda Rural Schools Initiative, which has now become part of The Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund (www.henryvanstraubenzeemf.org.uk). Together they have carried out significant development work at over 14 schools around Jinja.

The AV Foundation shall be funding some refurbishments at both St Michaels and St Mulumbas Primary schools near Jinja.