---

Why we are here Caritas Switzerland has been engaged in Uganda for over 20 years. During this time, the country underwent substantial transformation: After almost two decades, the war with the Lord Resistance Army ended. Subsequently, the majority of internally displaced people moved out of refugee camps and returned to their areas of origin. The necessary structures and institutions enabling a democratic system and a market economy are now in place. However, Uganda is still one of the world’s poorest countries. The dynamic economy and fast growing business centres are hiding the fact that the vast majority of the population is very young, poorly educated and unemployed. At the same time, government service delivery is compromised by a high degree of corruption and challenged by rapid demographic growth. Politics are contested, gender inequalities are pronounced, and natural resources disputed. In addition, the country is vulnerable to natural disasters and to the negative effects

---