Community Fellows: Namuwongo, Uganda

Namuwongo is located in the Bukasa parish within the Makindye division of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. It is divided into three sectors, Zones A, B, and C. The Zone B community sits on a railroad track and wetland near the Uganda industrial base. It is adjacent to the former government-owned Coffee Marketing Board that once employed more than 2,000 casual laborers from Namuwongo. The laborers were laid off in the 1990's during Uganda's privatization and restructuring program.

Due to extreme poverty, lack of sanitation, and little access to medical treatment and prevention, the people often suffer from life-threatening diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, and HIV/AIDS. As an increasing number of individuals infected with HIV fall victim to AIDS-related diseases, the entire local population is affected by this epidemic in the educational, medical, economic, and social spheres.

Additionally, a large portion of the Zone B population is internally displaced from the conflict in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. These internally displaced persons (IDPs) come from the districts of Kitgum, Lira, Gulu, Arua, and West Nile. Most IDPs do not have family, have lost their homes to destruction by rebels, and have no stable income.

Community Fellows » Uganda

Volunteers work on programs in the following areas:

Youth Empowerment Programs

Provides youth with yearly educational sponsorship, technology training, classroom beautification, reading programs, and sports and recreation (Namuwongo Youth Football and Basketball League).

Helping Hands Medical Fellowship

Provides medical education and treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS, and other diseases and illnesses. Provides counseling services to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including education to pregnant women who are HIV-positive.