Volunteer UgandaLove Volunteers and our partner NGO in Uganda are desperately seeking volunteers right now. There are opportunities in a variety of fields, each of which is certain to make a decisive difference to people’s lives in a country which has been blighted by problems for decades and where half of the population are under 18, many of them living on the streets. Volunteer projects in Uganda are centred in Kampala and include work in orphanages, clinics and hospitals, as well as primary and secondary schools. Uganda volunteers live with local host families during their placements.

Volunteering overseas - particularly in a challenging environment - is an experience you will look back on with pride. It will bring a greater understanding of, and compassion for, humanity. With volunteers in Uganda coming from many walks of life and generations, it is often a way of forging new and lasting friendships. Typically, volunteering in Uganda is done during a gap-year before studies, or when, as a new graduate, one requires a break before launching into a career. Others choose to volunteer as an alternative to a holiday, or while they are between jobs. Volunteering in Uganda gives you the chance to live amongst a population urgently requiring help.

Uganda is toward the east of Africa and borders Zaire, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. The bulk of the country comprises a plateau, which is 4,000 feet above sea level. Lake Victoria occupies a large part of the south of the country. While predominantly Christian, Uganda has many cultures living within its borders, and several African languages are spoken.

The programs that Love Volunteers is involved with have few resources and would find it difficult to operate without the valuable input and assistance from our volunteers in Uganda. Take a look at Lonely Planet's East Africa Guide for more information about Uganda.

Volunteering Uganda

Start and Duration

Volunteers in Uganda can choose from short term to long term stays in Uganda and can start on any day of the year. Programs are flexible; however, two weeks is the recommended minimum, and is also the minimum in terms of the program fees that will be charged.

Volunteer Requirements

We encourage individuals, couples, families, students, researchers, and groups to volunteer in Uganda. 

Applicants should be at least 18 year old and speak English to at least intermediate level. Younger volunteers may be accepted if accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information about volunteering in Uganda for younger people or understanding language requirement please contact us.

Other than that, a responsible and compassionate attitude is all that is required Apply to volunteer in Uganda now!.

Project Descriptions for Uganda

Program Costs

Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation and is one of the most affordable ways to help out in a developing country while being immersed in the local culture.

Fees for volunteer programs in Uganda start at US$400 (€302) for two weeks, which includes accommodation, food, an airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

Other volunteers periods available. Please, contact LoveVolunteers for pricing of other periods.

A Love Volunteers registration fee of US$235 (approximately €170) is charged in addition to the program fees and covers any placements you undertake for twelve months from the start of your first placement. The fee is refundable if you choose not to volunteer more than three months prior to the start of your initial placement. This fee ensures 24/7 pre- and post-placement support from Love Volunteers, checking and vetting of local organisations, a comprehensive information pack, as well as administration and marketing costs. Given Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation we also ask volunteers to cover any bank charges incurred by international money transfers.

Food and Accommodation

A great advantage of volunteering in Uganda is the fact that your accommodation is arranged with a local family. This experience gives the volunteer an authentic glimpse of the customs, lifestyle and family values of the Ugandan people. Normally, two of your daily meals will be eaten with the host family.

All over Uganda, the inhabitants produce their own food. This makes for a healthy diet. On smallholdings, locals grow cassava, millet, corn, potatoes and greens, including cabbage, tomatoes and bananas and many other crops. The dishes that will be served by the host family, are likely to be matoke (made by steaming plantains) and Tilapia (a fish which is served grilled). You may also get dishes made with sweet potatoes, beef and chicken, or fish or goat stews. Uganda's national drink - waragi - is a banana-based gin, sometimes likened to Schnapps. Fruit juices, from the likes of jackfruit, are among the great non-alcoholic options.

Kampala has restaurants serving every kind of European and Indian dish, as well as the fast food chains found everywhere.

Orientation

The format of the orientation depends on your arrival time. Most volunteers in Uganda tend to arrive in the evening. In this case, the orientation begins the following day with a talk at the volunteer house or local restaurant about the country, security, transport, the project and local health issues.

You will be taken to the local town and shown around places of interest such a supermarkets, internet cafes and restaurants. You are also given time to change money, buy bottled water, snacks etc. If time allows, you will be taken to the project and have project orientation the same day.

If you arrive in the morning, you may have orientation later that day, if you are not too tired.

A Typical Week

The structure of the week varies for different projects, but we aim to be flexible. Provided some notice is given, we will try to accommodate your plans. That said, a typical week volunteering in Uganda looks something like this:

Weekdays: At about 7.30am you'll have breakfast with your host family. At 8-8.30am you'll make your way to the project to start at about 9am. Here you'll meet local staff who will start you on the tasks for the day. You'll get breaks throughout the day and finish between 3pm and 5pm.

In the afternoon you are free to socialize or perhaps take a trip to the shops or visit a cafe or restaurant. Alternatively, you can continue helping out on your project.

Weekends: Volunteering during the weekends is possible or you may visit orphanages where the children will be delighted to be entertained. Otherwise, this is your time to relax, perhaps just chilling at home or you could arrange to explore the local town or travel further afield. Extended weekends can be arranged to allow for safari trips, but remember our local team need plenty of notice.

About the Country

The Republic of Uganda gained independence in 1962. This is a country which boasts dramatic scenery. It includes the Ruwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), Africa’s highest mountain range. Mount Elgon, on the country’s eastern border ascends to over 14,000 feet. Lying within the Nile basin, the country has the White Nile River running through it, with its source in Lake Victoria. Nile white-water rafting around Jinja is among the best anywhere. Add to that the presence of the world’s biggest concentration of primates, not least among them being the mountain gorilla, and Uganda is clearly a country that merits some exploration.

There are many cultural groups in Uganda, the most broadly defined being the Bantu speakers of the south and the Nilotic and Central Sudanic language speakers in the north. Kampala, its capital, is considered one of the safest and friendliest among Africa’s sometimes notorious capital cities. Indeed, Ugandans are widely regarded as being warm and hospitable.

Apply now! Or check out the FAQ or contact page for more information.