Your Best Days to visit Uganda
1. NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS 1ST JANUARY
The celebration of the new-year on January 1st is one of the most celebrated festivals in Uganda. The
The first time the new year was celebrated on January 1st was in Rome in 153 B.C. (In fact, the month of January did not even exist until around 700 B.C., when the second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius, added the months of January and February.) The new year was moved from March to January because that was the beginning of the civil year, the month that the two newly elected Roman consuls—the highest officials in the Roman republic—began their one-year tenure. But this new-year date was not always strictly and widely observed, and the new-year was still sometimes celebrated on March 1.
In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar introduced a new, solar-based calendar that was a vast improvement on the ancient Roman calendar, which was a lunar system that had become wildly inaccurate over the years. The Julian calendar decreed that the new-year would occur with January 1, and within the Roman world, January 1 became the consistently observed start of the new-year.
In Uganda, on 1st January masses gather in worship places others spend overnight prayers and later in the day celebrations are held in various places like hotels, bars, and homes. People remain awake until midnight at the intersection of the ending year and the new-year, and the new-year is welcomed with shouting, dancing and fireworks in towns and major centres.
One week before the new-year festival there is another similar festival of Charismas when Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
This is the best time ever for you to be in Uganda at the climax of the annual festivals that occur. If this is your interest we can help to make a best schedule for you.
2. WORLD RADIO DAY 13TH FEBRUARY
Radio has the ability to raise awareness to the greatest number of people in the quickest possible time. On its own, social media plays an important part, but when it is linked to the institution of a reliable radio service, its impact can be far more effective. Here are some key messages to explore on or around World Radio Day:
- Radio can assist in the quick mobilisation of people to ensure a strong and coordinated global response to an emergency.
- The messages heard on radio can turn people from passive listener to active citizen, especially in times of emergency and disaster. Radio interactivity is a power feature.
- Radio is an important partner for government and non-government organisations to help ensure a coordinated response.
- Radio is a vital local resource in disaster and emergency, usually highly efficient due to their knowledge of local resources, infrastructures and actors. However, community radio stations can also be vulnerable – their reporters and technical staff can be affected by the situation. Ongoing support for local community radio stations and ensuring they have a sustainable future, is important.
Radio is powerful before, during and after times of emergency and disaster. Radio empowers listeners and allows humanitarian workers and rescuers to protect people.
- Radio is an extremely efficient way in which to assist communities to prepare for disasters and reduce the risk of death and injury.
- Radio can act as an early warning system to reduce disaster risk.
- Radio helps disseminate messages to affected communities and contributes to the impact humanitarian organizations can have on the ground.
- Radio is technically resistant. In times of crisis, radio is always on: Radio is able to broadcast and to be received, even when electricity fails. This makes radio a unique medium in order to maintain the link between rescuers and survivors.
Activities for our guests this year include visiting and talks on local radio stations, visits and interactions with community radio listeners clubs, training of journalists and radio presenters, donations of radio sets to rural households.
3. WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 3RD MARCH
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
Wildlife has an intrinsic value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable development and human well-being. For these reasons, all member States, the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, non-governmental organizations and individuals, are invited to observe and to get involved in this global celebration of wildlife. Local communities can play a positive role in helping to curb illegal wildlife trade.
Uganda keeps over 50% of the world’s most treasured wildlife; 3rd March is therefore an important day in Uganda. Activities around this day include campaigns for wildlife conservation, tree planting, discounted tours to National parks, Nature walks and community visits around the major National Parks. At the climax, you join the National celebrations at a place selected by the government of Uganda.
4. WORLD WATER DAY 22ND MARCH
Water is the essential building block of life. World Water Day is marked on 22 March every year. It’s a day to celebrate water. It’s a day to make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues. It’s a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first World Water Day. World Water Day is celebrated around the world every year, shining the spotlight on a different issue.
Join the movement this year in Uganda. Activities include visiting various water bodies in Uganda such as lakes and rivers, tour of Lake Bunyonyi the 3rd deepest lake in Africa with its 26 islands, boat riding, swimming, cleaning and repairing of water sources in rural communities, installing rain water harvesting facilities, and teaching communities on proper usage of water.
At the end of the week’s activities we join the rest of the country for National celebrations at a place reserved by Uganda’s government.
5. WORLD MALARIA DAY 25TH APRIL
April 25, 2016, marks World Malaria Day – a day to celebrate the gains made in the fight against malaria. Each year, this day highlights global efforts to control malaria and mobilizes action to combat the disease.
Uganda ranks sixth among African countries with high malaria-related mortality rates, and has one of the highest reported malaria transmission rates in the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that globally malaria is a major cause of ill health and deaths, with approximately 16 million cases and over 10,500 deaths reported in 2015.
Malaria is a very ancient and deadly but preventable and curable disease that has remained the leading cause of ill health and death among children under five and a big cause of health problem among pregnant mothers. It results in loss of productivity and children staying out of school.
Activities around this day include community mobilization meetings, visits to the health centres, counselling to the patients, home cleaning to remove breeding grounds for mosquitoes and distribution of mosquito nets to families.
The climax of the long week activities is at the National celebrations where we join the rest of the country at a place set by the government of Uganda.
6. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 15TH MAY
The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 with resolution A/RES/47/237 and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
The International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising events, including national family days. In many countries, that day provides an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families.
The central goal focuses on ending poverty, promoting shared economic prosperity, social development and people’s well-being while protecting the environment. Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth and caring for young and old.
A Glimpse of most families in Western Uganda
- Most families depend on subsistence farming. But with primitive tools and the lack of irrigation, fertilizers and modern farming techniques, their results vary.
- Some families also raise a few cattle to supplement their meager income.
- Low income levels mean that families usually can’t afford to educate their children, especially because school fees are high in this region.
- Children who start school in grade one typically don’t make it past the sixth grade.
- Parents often encourage girls to drop out of school and get married in their early teens to collect money from the groom’s family for the traditional “bride price.”
- Sexual promiscuity among teens is a rampant problem, with 57 percent of Ugandan girls having their first sexual encounter before the age of 18.
- As a result, there is a high incidence of HIV infection and babies being raised by poor, single teen mothers.
Activities include workshops and conferences, radio and television programmes, newspaper articles and cultural programmes highlighting relevant themes. Voluntary activities include donation of houses to families, beddings and clothes to vulnerable families, income projects like poultry, goats, piggery, bee keeping, and other agricultural projects.
7. World Environment Day 5th June 2016
Every 5th of June is a day used by the United Nations to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourages political action.
World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.
WED is the opportunity for everyone to realize the responsibility to care for the Earth and to become agents of change.
Join Uganda Vision Resource Centre in a one week series of activities to mark the World Environment Day 2016. Activities include planting trees on schools and churches targeting to plant one million trees this season, teaching school children on the importance of environmental protection and painting schools with a green environment paints.
Volunteers from abroad arrive on May 30th and join the field of respective activities on 31st May.
On the final day of these activities June 5th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On June 6th we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight.
Booking deadline: 20th May 2016 and all bookings are made by email to volunteers@uvrcug.org
8. International African Child Day 16th June 2016
Day of the African Child this year is on June 16 – when events will be held on the continent and around the world. On 16 June 1976 In Soweto, South Africa, thousands of black schoolchildren took to the streets to protest about the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand injured.
To honour their courage and in memory of those killed, in 1991 the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) established the Day of the African Child. The Day also draws attention to the lives of African children today.
Still we use this Day to find out more about the lives of children living in Africa today. This day is commemorated annually in Africa; it is a day to show care and support for children’s rights. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.
This year Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned a one week activities for friends of children volunteers in Western Uganda. These activities will include working with Children in the refugee settlement, visiting children in health facilities, visiting children in homes affected by HIV/AIDS, teaching children in schools, supporting children in babies’ homes.
Volunteers from abroad will arrive on 10th June and will be posted to their places of work on 11th June.
On the final day of these activities June 16th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On June 17th we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight.
Booking deadline: 1st June 2016 and all bookings are made by email to volunteers@uvrcug.org
9. International Day of Friendship: 30th July 2016
The International Day of Friendship is a United Nations (UN) day that promotes the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in many cultures. To mark the International Day of Friendship, the UN encourages governments, organizations, and community groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that promote solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
In 2011, the UN proclaimed the International Day of Friendship with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. The UN wanted for the day to involve young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned a week of activities involving volunteers (individuals and organizations) from abroad who want to make friendship with Ugandan individuals, families, organisations, schools, health facilities and churches.
Tell us your likes and hobbies; we shall identify a host family for you which will remain your Ugandan family for a life time. You are free to tell us the activities you want to do, but we can as well help you to identify activities.
V0lunteers from Abroad will arrive on 24th July and will be posted to their host communities on 25th July. On the final day of these activities July 30th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On August 1st we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight.
Booking deadline: 14th July 2016 and all bookings are made by email to volunteers@uvrcug.org
10. International Youth Day 12th August 2016
International Youth Day will be taking place on 12 August 2016, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.
12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth.
It is a priority that can’t be postponed for the reason that youth is not only the future, but first and foremost the present of the country. Channeling young peoples’ commitment, knowledge and power into working and, in general, engaging can bring forward community development, energize institutions, create business opportunities and dissolve adamant mentalities.
The engagement and participation of youth is essential to achieve sustainable human development. Yet often the opportunities for youth to engage politically, economically and socially are low or non-existent.
This year Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned a week of activities involving volunteers from abroad for youths in Western Uganda. Activities include Youths seminars in schools, youth’s camps in communities and support visits to youth’s projects and enterprises.
Volunteers from abroad will arrive on 6th August and activities will begin on 7th August. On the final day of these activities August 12th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On August 13th we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight.
Booking deadline: 25th July 2016 and all bookings are made by email to volunteers@uvrcug.org
11. World Tourism Day; 27 September is World Tourism Day!
Every time we travel, for whatever reason, we are part of a global movement; a movement that has the power to drive inclusive development, create jobs and build the sustainable societies we want for our future; a movement that builds mutual understanding and can help us safeguard our shared natural and cultural heritage.
The date for World Tourism Day is appropriate because it comes at the end of the high tourist season in the northern hemisphere and the start of the tourist season in the southern hemisphere, when tourism is of topical interest to many people worldwide, particularly travelers and those working in the tourism sector.
This year on 27 September, we want to talk Tourism in schools and communities of Western Uganda. Join and help us raise awareness of the important impact tourism has on our country and communities and its potential as a force for good, creating a better world for all.
As part of the festivities, a week- long exhibition of arts and tourism in Western Uganda communities will be held and the climax will be at the National celebrations of world tourism day.
It focuses on the ability of tourism to empower people and equip them with the necessary skills to change their local communities.
Uganda Vision Resource Centre will implemented a number of programs and activities to educate the community on the development of tourism as well as transforming citizen’s acceptance for tourism into lobbying for further demand on the growth of national tourism.
Don’t miss entry into Uganda’s best nature destinations on discount
In a way of promoting Tourism in the country, Uganda Wild Life Authority puts different offers to the guests on such a day. Some activities include free entries, discounts or special offers for the general public and guests to any site of tourism interest. Government and community leaders, as tourism business representatives, may make public announcements or offer special tours or fares to promote both their region and World Tourism Day on or around September 27.
The activities will include attending to cultural entertainments in schools and communities, visiting cultural landmarks, archaeological sites, historical sites, traditional souks, museums, and other attractions and National parks.
Chose any of the Tourists destinations listed below that you would love to Visit, then we shall post you in a community near to that destination. To know the details about the various tour destinations follow this link; https://v2040rc.wordpress.com/ugandas-national-parks/ and open the Uganda’s National Parks Page.
- Kibale National Park (the primate capital of the world)
- Semuliki National Park (the true birds’ haven)
- Rwenzori Mountains (the mystical challenge)
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (a medley of wonders)
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (the ultimate gorilla experience)
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (where gold meets silver)
- Lake Mburo National Park (the whispers of the wild).
- Lake Bunyonyi (the deepest lake in Africa)
- The hot springs, several lakes, rivers and crater lakes
Guests will arrive on 19th September 2016 and will be posted to their host communities on 20th September.
On 27th September, guests will join the rest of the Country for National celebrations at a placed arranged by the government of Uganda.
On 28th September, we shall have an evaluation meeting and later guests travel back to Entebe airport for the flight.
Booking deadline: 10th September 2016 and all bookings are made by email to volunteers@uvrcug.org
12. International Day of the Girl Child 11th October
Girls are our future. This year, for the International Day of the Girl Child, on 11 October, we join global efforts to ensure a world free of discrimination for young women and girls.
As a particularly vulnerable demographic, adolescent girls face social, economic and political barriers. While they hold the potential to become leaders and effect change, their empowerment can be hindered by factors such as unwanted pregnancy, forced early marriage, gender-based violence and limited access to higher education and reproductive health services;
Despite remarkable gains in the last decade, millions of girls are still being denied their right to education: 31 million girls of primary school age are out of school. Of these 17 million are expected never to enter school. There are 4 million fewer boys than girls out of school. Three countries have over a million girls not in school: In Nigeria there are almost five and a half million, Pakistan, over three million, and in Ethiopia, over one million girls out of school.
There are also 34 million female adolescents out of school, missing out on the chance to learn vital skills for work and life. Unless we make quality education for all a priority, these girls will not acquire the skills they need to transition to young adulthood, secure stable employment, understand and exercise their rights as citizens, and continue learning throughout life.
Finally, girls who do not complete an education are more likely to join the ranks of the illiterate women that represent two-thirds of the 774 million illiterate people in the world. With girls constituting the majority of out of school children, gender equality and girls’ education remain a central concern.
This year Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned a one week series of activities leading to the commemoration of the international girl child day. Activities will include Girls Empowerment seminars in schools, churches and communities, supply of sanitary materials for girls in schools, engaging local leaders and parents to challenge child marriages, supporting community projects for teen mothers, identifying and following up girls who dropped from school and getting them back to school.
Our success will be largely measured on how many girls we get back to school and how many teen mothers we support to have a daily income this year.
Volunteers will arrive on 5th October 2016 and will be posted to their host communities on 6th October.
On the final day of these activities October 11th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On October 12th we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight
13. World Food Day; 16th October- a day of action against hunger:
World Food Day is a day of action against hunger. On October 16, people around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger in our lifetime. Because when it comes to hunger, the only acceptable number in the world is zero. World Food Day has since then been observed in almost every country by millions of people.
Here in Uganda, grassroots events and public awareness campaigns engage diverse audiences in action against hunger. From hunger walks and World Food Day dinners to meal packaging events and food drives, there are many ways for people to be a part of solutions to hunger.
This is because the right to food is a basic human right. In a world of plenty, 805 million people, one in nine worldwide, live with chronic hunger. The costs of hunger and malnutrition fall heavily on the most vulnerable.
- 60% of the hungry in the world are women.
- Almost 5 million children under the age of 5 die of malnutrition-related causes every year.
- 4 in 10 children in poor countries are malnourished damaging their bodies and brains
Every human being has a fundamental right to be free from hunger and the right to adequate food. The right to adequate food is realized when every man, woman and child has the physical and economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement.
Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned week-long activities to commemorate this important day in Western Uganda with involvement of volunteers in community food programs. Activities will include serving meals to children in schools, health centres, churches and refugee settlements, planting food crops like fruits, vegetables and bananas in schools and homes.
Volunteers from abroad will arrive on 8th October and will be posted to their host communities on 9th October. On the final day of these activities October 16th, we shall join the rest of the country to the national celebrations at a place which will be assigned by the government of Uganda.
On October 17th we shall have an evaluation meeting before volunteers travel back to Entebbe to catch up with their flight
14. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 November
A staggering one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime—a pandemic of global proportions. Unlike an illness, however, perpetrators and even entire societies choose to commit violence—and can choose to stop. Violence is not inevitable. It can be prevented. But it’s not as straightforward as eradicating a virus. There is no vaccine, medication or cure. And there is no one single reason for why it happens.
As such, prevention strategies should be holistic, with multiple interventions undertaken in parallel in order to have long-lasting and permanent effects. Many sectors, actors and stakeholders need to be engaged. More evidence is emerging on what interventions work to prevent violence—from community mobilization to change social norms, to comprehensive school interventions targeting staff and pupils, to economic empowerment and income supplements coupled with gender equality training.
This year Uganda Vision Resource Centre has planned empowerment activities targeting women in their social groups, schools and families. Activities including women training on risk reduction and safety nets, training school children as agents of change, visiting victims of violence in hospitals will be carried out involving volunteers from abroad. Come and be part of a global movement to make the world a safe place for all.
Volunteers will arrive on 18th November and will be posted to their host communities on 19th November.
On November 25th we conclude our activities by joining the National celebrations at a place that will be determined by Uganda government.
On November 26th we have an evaluation meeting and volunteers travel to Entebbe Airport to catch up with their flight.
15. International Volunteer Day (IVD) December 5, 2016
As an appreciation for voluntary engagement the United Nations have proclaimed 05 December, 2015 as the International Volunteer Day since 1986; International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a chance for volunteer-involving organizations and individual volunteers to promote their contributions to development at local, national and international levels.
We come together to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism, it is about making a difference in other people’s lives. In particular, the potential of young people in Uganda and elsewhere, their energy, ideals and creativity to find their place in society and make it a better place, let them become naturally agents of change. Being, both a challenge and a big opportunity for the country to absorb such a potential to the most benefit to society, it requires targeted and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.
On this year’s International Volunteer Day, we not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets, but also pay special tribute to volunteers working to implement the new global goals.
Join Uganda Vision Resource Centre in recognizing the individuals who are engaged in volunteering their time, energies, and skills to change the world for a better future.
Uganda Vision Resource Centre will join the rest of the world on December 5th to celebrate the International Volunteer Day with a month-long series of activities in Western Uganda aimed at raising awareness of volunteerism and its contribution to peace and sustainable human development in the Country.
The activities, which will take place in Western Uganda during the month starting on 5th November, ending on 5th December include tree planting with schools and churches, Teaching in schools, Health services in clinics, feeding children in the refugee settlement, Visits to Child headed families, Visits to families of Persons living with HIV/AIDS, Cleaning cities, and working in prisons
Volunteers from abroad will arrive on 29th November and will be posted to their host communities on 30th November.
On December 5th we conclude our activities by joining the National celebrations at a place that will be determined by Uganda government.
On December 6th we have an evaluation meeting and volunteers travel to Entebbe Airport to catch up with their flight.
Note: In all the above programs, your volunteer trip can be supplemented with visits to any the Uganda’s best Nature destinations selected from the list below. This will mean an extra cost on your budget.
- Kibale National Park (the primate capital of the world)
- Semuliki National Park (the true birds’ haven)
- Rwenzori Mountains (the mystical challenge)
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (a medley of wonders)
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (the ultimate gorilla experience)
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (where gold meets silver)
- Lake Mburo National Park (the whispers of the wild).
- Lake Bunyonyi (the deepest lake in Africa)
- The hot springs, several lakes, rivers and crater lakes
For booking and inquiries, contact us by sending an email to volunteers@uvrcug.org. Visit us on our official website http://www.uvrcug.org.
Travel Abroad, Travel Africa, Travel Uganda, Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer in Africa, Volunteer in Uganda with Uganda Vision Resource Centre
Africa Travels with Uganda Vision Resource Centre 