Uganda

Pathfinder’s work in Uganda dates back to 1957, when our founder’s “Pathfinder Fund” provided seed money to form the Family Planning Association of Uganda and establish clinical reproductive health services in several centers in Kampala.

Since that time, and throughout the country’s 20-year civil war, Pathfinder remained committed to expanding access to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Today, we continue this work in Northern Uganda.

In an area plagued by instability, high HIV and AIDS prevalence, and lack of access to contraceptives—despite high demand—we reach some of the country’s most neglected populations, including internally displaced refugees, women, and youth.

Through one project, women and couples in 11 post-conflict districts can access anti-retroviral therapy, choose a method of contraception, and learn how protect their children from HIV—an integrated package of services.

Through another project, Pathfinder and our partners are empowering families to meet their health needs and sustainably manage natural resources on which they depend.

Uganda is a country that has been plagued by political instability, high HIV and AIDS prevalence, and a lack of access to contraceptives—despite high demand. The total fertility rate in Uganda is 5.9, which is one of the highest in the world. The high rate of unmet need for contraceptives (33 percent), combined with Uganda's increasing rate of population growth (3.3 percent), continue to hinder economic development, deepen poverty, and detract from the achievements that have been made in the social sector.

For more than 50 years, Pathfinder’s commitment to the people of Uganda—and their right to high quality family planning services and information—has never wavered. Our programs have evolved over the years, strengthening community-based organizations and Uganda’s health systems to ensure women, men, and young people can access the essential sexual and reproductive health services they need.

In 1957, our founder’s newly incorporated Pathfinding Fund provided seed money to form the Family Planning Association of Uganda. As a 20-year civil war raged during the 1970s and all other US-based sexual and reproductive health organizations withdrew their development assistance, Pathfinder remained in Uganda to support family planning activities in rural communities.

During the 1980s, Pathfinder pioneered the use of nonmedical personnel to deliver family planning services by training hundreds of village health workers and establishing primary health care clinics in rural communities. And a decade later, when HIV devastated communities, Pathfinder leveraged our strong in-country networks—including partnerships with the government, and Christian and Islamic faith-based organizations—to create a robust community home-based care initiative for people living with HIV that provides integrated sexual and reproductive health services.

Today, Pathfinder remains deeply invested in the implementation of family planning programs led and owned by Ugandans. With modern methods, strong systems, and accurate information, the people of Uganda will drive lasting progress in sexual and reproductive health. Our collaborative approach continues to address Uganda’s greatest needs with positive results.