About The Real Uganda

The Real Uganda is an organization that sources funding and skills for selected locally led initiatives in south central and western Uganda. We respectfully support Ugandan innovation and motivation. We are a legally registered non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), operating totally in Uganda, since January 2005. We place about 70 volunteers each year.

What we do

The Real Uganda recruits and places international volunteers with a number of schools and community based organizations around Uganda. Through our volunteer placement program, we aim to build the capacities of local organizations and raise awareness around the world about the successes and challenges of life in Uganda.

Many local organizations lack the money and skills to grow themselves. With our program in place, our partner organizations are overcoming some of the more serious challenges they face. These include: lack of money for operations (wages, office space, transport, training courses), lack of business skills (book keeping, marketing, strategy, grant writing), and lack of up to date knowledge (Counseling/mentoring skills, English language, HIV/AIDS and life skills information).

Many travelers wish to visit sub-Saharan Africa to find out what’s really happening on the ground. We offer a safe and family-like environment in which to come to Uganda, give your time, and experience some real culture. 

We offer pre-arrival support by answering your questions about Uganda and by finding an organization that best fits your skill and interest. We connect you to former and current volunteers working with us. We collect you from the airport, get you to your placement, and unravel some of the more complicated cultural issues you face when entering Uganda for the first time. It is not easy to come to a completely foreign culture on your own. We want to be there to give you encouragement, advice, and support in order for you to be the most effective while you are here.

Why we do it

While working with The Real Uganda, volunteers learn about the real situation at the grassroots level in Uganda. Life in Uganda is tough for everyone, not just HIV/AIDS patients, orphans and refugees. Wages are low, corruption is rampant, education is not universal. In spite of this, Ugandans are some of the most welcoming, friendly, and open people in Africa. Get prepared to experience Uganda in a deep and meaningful way. Volunteers become part of the family, learning about the local culture: how to cook, how to speak the language, how to sit peacefully with their neighbors and talk about life in general. We hope that volunteers take that knowledge home with them, spreading the word about Ugandan development issues and culture around the world.

Why choose The Real Uganda?

We’re local – Our offices, staff, and projects are located in Uganda. We are on the ground with encouragement and support to ensure your success.

We're experienced – Our volunteer coordinator is a Canadian, living in Uganda full-time, since 2004. We've hosted over 800 volunteers from all over the world.

We’re relevant – Our partner organizations are Ugandan run and engage in Ugandan led activities. Activities that help and develop real people and communities, on their terms.

We're specialized – We focus on Uganda and know it intimately. Our volunteers work at schools, in public health, on farms, and with women's empowerment groups.