Uganda

VSO Uganda volunteers are currently working in eighteen districts in the Southwestern, Central and Midwestern regions of Uganda in the areas of participation and governance, disability and health.

Participation and governance

The government of Uganda has embarked on a major programme of reform and decentralisation to improve efficiency in the use of resources and in the supply and provision of public services such as education and healthcare. This involves the promotion of popular participation and empowerment of local people to make own decisions and enhance accountability and responsibility. Under this programme, district government office staff are expected to carry out new tasks, roles and responsibilities, but they often lack the necessary skills. In addition, weaknesses in civil society agencies mean that for many poor people there is no one to act on their behalf to demand the services they are entitled to or hold the government to account.

Volunteers are working with both civil society agencies and district local government offices that work in the areas of education, healthcare, finance and planning and livelihoods. Volunteers – including management and organisational development advisers, communication and advocacy experts and education, health and rural livelihoods specialists – are working to ensure that the poorest communities have the power to demand their rights and that the authorities are in a position to plan, finance and manage the delivery of services.

Disability

People with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged in the country. They lack appropriate education services and skills training, and cannot easily access employment. There has been little attempt to integrate people with disabilities into the community and there is limited information to help families and communities to understand and overcome the challenges they face related to disability. There are also limited specialised health and rehabilitation services and appropriate physical infrastructure available to cater for the different needs of people with disabilities.

VSO Uganda volunteers are working with both national and locally based agencies to address a number of issues, including:

• access to basic services, such as relevant therapy and appropriate education

• the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities

• building networks that advocate for national policies that consider the needs and right of those with disabilities.

Health

The poor and disadvantaged in Uganda are badly affected by preventable diseases. Health service provision and access are poor, and staff retention is a challenge. VSO is supporting the Uganda Government in implementing the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) to improve health systems following the decentralisation of health delivery to district level. HSSP focuses on working with communities and the implementation of primary (preventive) healthcare services, particularly in rural areas where people have very poor access to healthcare.