Uganda

Bridget Burrows (right) meets Evelyn (centre), who was in captivity for ten years and eleven months [CAFOD]

Though economic reform has been attempted, Uganda has suffered the consequences of high debt levels that has diverted funds away from education and health

Following years of violent and authoritarian rule during the 1970s and 1980s, President Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986.

Since then, elections have been held and economic reform has been attempted.

However Uganda still suffers the consequences of high indebtedness, which has diverted funds away from education and health services.

Key challenges

HIV/AIDS: Official statistics show around 1.5 million Ugandans are living with HIV.

Low employment: Large numbers in towns and cities have little or no work. In rural areas, women suffer as men keep most of the income from farming for themsleves, ignoring the rest of the family.

Environmental damage: Insufficient and irregular rain has resulted in deforestation, while pollution in urban and industrial areas is also a problem.

section highlights

Faith brings chance for peace Father John Felix Opio explains how Caritas Gulu will continue to help victims of the 20-year war in Uganda, even after a lasting peace agreement is found

Life in all its fullness The Medical Missionaries of Mary run a Mobile AIDS Home Care and Orphans Programme which supports people with AIDS and children left orphaned by the disease.

Children take the lead in Uganda Schoolchildren in Uganda are running Wildlife Clubs to reverse years of environmental degradation

latest updates elsewhere on www.cafod.org.uk

Leadership imperative at every level Ann Smith, CAFOD's HIV corporate strategist, has been working on HIV and AIDS since the mid-1980s, and says now is the time for world and church leaders to re-affirm their commitment to the cause

CAFOD film to star in UN festival Our documentary about war-torn Northern Uganda will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights at the “We the Peoples” film festival

New hope for lasting peace in Northern Uganda CAFOD Director Chris Bain is travelling to Gulu in Northern Uganda to see how our partner Caritas Gulu is helping people re-start their lives after 20 years of conflict