Uganda in the year 2000

This year in August 150 Young People and Leaders in Scouting in the UK are facing an Adventure to Africa

The Uganda 2000 Programme will deliver an environment of self-help for the young people of Uganda, spearheaded by the young people of the UK. Young people are a country's future potential and this programme will invest in them time and effort. Publicity is often given to a societies failings, however this programme will build on young people's strengths across the UK and into Africa.

Uganda has lost a whole generation through the turbulent years that destroyed the country's infrastructure following independence from the United Kingdom. The majority of the population is now under 20 years of age and disease is rife. Despite these difficulties the young people of Uganda have hope and are working hard together to ensure that their country stays peaceful. The schools are operating again and teachers are being trained but the country has few educational resources. (Read about Uganda's troubled past visit www.lonelyplanet.com)

The Uganda 2000 Programme commenced with Leader Training followed by the shipping of thousands of resources to Uganda for use in the schools. Many thousands of young people throughout the UK have already been involved in the project and this will continue in the months and years to come.

The President and Government of Uganda has welcomed the initiative and is giving its full support along with that of both National Scout Headquarters.

The Year 2000 Vision

In August 150 Scouts and Leaders from the UK will arrive followed by the first of the containers with the educational and scouting resources.

In a multi-activity approach, young people are organising expeditions across Uganda with visits being made to individual areas, Groups and the Camporee. The Camporee is a biannual event of approximately 3000 Scouts and Guides drawn from Uganda and the neighbouring countries of Rwanda, The Congo, Tanzania and Kenya. It is held at the Uganda National Camp Site at Kaazi overlooking Lake Victoria and it will bring Scouts together breaking down tribal divides and teaching skills for life.

Many of these young Ugandans will have never seen a white person and many will die before reaching middle age but they will have an immediate common bond with the young people from the UK through their Scouting connections.

The U2 Programme will give them the possibility of an improved future through education.

The aim of U2 is to motivate and challenge young people in the UK and Uganda.

The objectives of U2 are to:

Although the first containers are now full the Network will plan to ship others later in 2000 and early in 2001. The Network will be collecting typewriters (manual), sewing machines (manual), knitting machines, books, pens and pencils and all other types of education resources. In addition a full range of Scouting equipment is needed.

If filling a container is not for you. Other projects could include teaching English at a school for 6 months or so. Climbing Mt Elgon. Helping local Scouts to develop their Scouting Skills or you could just Camp and take in the sites and wild life of Uganda. We hope however that your project whatever you decide will benefit the young of the UK and in some way help those in Uganda. Friendships are important and we are sure that you will make many friends. Please remember the UK / Uganda Network is here to help with advice. Most member's have now visited Uganda at least twice.

For more information please register and get an invitation to our next meeting.


 Contact the Uganda Network     Copyright © The UK Uganda Network - 2000     Last modified 29th July 2000