Save The Children International - Kampala

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. More than half of its 37 million people are children – which provides exciting potential for a dynamic future.

After years of conflict and insecurity, there has been some considerable progress. More children are in school and fewer are dying of preventable illnesses.

But many children, especially in rural areas, still live in poverty and without their basic rights.

One in five children do not complete primary school.
More than a quarter of children under five suffer chronic malnutrition.
75% of children experience violence.
At least 10% of girls are married before they are 15, and a quarter experienced sexual violence in the past year.
Essential services such as schools and health facilities are overcrowded and  

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under-resourced. Laws and policies have been passed that could make a positive difference to children's lives, but are seldom resourced or enforced. Rural youth struggle to find decent work.

Uganda hosts almost 1.4 million refugees fleeing some of the world's worst conflicts – one of the largest numbers in the world. More than 60% are children. The country has shown great generosity in opening its doors, but the influx has further increased the strain on services and more support is needed.