Academic Guide
Uganda presents excellent opportunities for learning and research across a range of academic disciplines such as geography, international development, politics, tourism, art and photography, environmental management, medicine & public health, education, agriculture and trade to name but a few.
Below is a small selection of possible activities but if you have a particular interest, not mentioned here, please enquire and we will do our best to help.
Agriculture
Uganda has in place a new Plan for the Modernisation of Agriculture through which it hopes to reduce poverty by improving livelihoods. Venture Uganda can arrange for you to meet the architects of that plan, introduce you to the people implementing it and those it directly affects. Students could perhaps explore Uganda’s blooming flower trade, the coffee or sugar industries or GM crops.
Education
Uganda’s education sector has experienced radical changes in the last 10-15 years such as the introduction of Universal Primary education, budgetary support with aid flows going through government, the expansion of higher and special needs education. We can provide access to a range of educational institutions and organize meetings with those responsible for making, implementing and reviewing policy so you hear directly from those involved.
Farming
Many Ugandans are subsistence farmers. Your students could meet typical families to discuss the issues they face or hear from district authorities about their agricultural extension activities. Alternatively you may like to visit beekeeping or fish farming projects. At the other end of the scale Uganda has many commercial farms for example producing milk, tea or coffee. Meet these farmers and the producers’ associations which represent them.
Film and Photography
Uganda offers some stunning locations for film-making and photography including bustling cities, tropical forest, snow-capped peaks and open savannah. The River Nile and many lakes also provide wonderful settings. The abundant wildlife from gorillas and elephant to crocodiles and birds should not be missed and the local people are generally friendly and cooperative and often have interesting stories to tell.
Geography
There is much in Uganda to interest both the physical and human geographer. Physical highlights include the equator, River Nile, Rwenzori Mountain range and associated explosion craters, great lakes and the virunga volcanoes: explore issues of natural resource management, climate change or biodiversity. Human geographers can investigate, food and farming, people and protected areas, urban development and much more.
Tourism and hospitality
Uganda has much to offer the tourist from specialist gorilla tracking and bird watching to general wildlife and cultural safaris, adventure sports and honeymoons. Give your students an insight into how this sector is managed at central and regional level and the challenges faced. Visit hotels and lodges, attraction providers, community tourism projects and conservation initiatives. Experience first hand how tourism and development are linked and how tourists can travel responsibly.
Politics and History
Uganda has a fascinating political history since independence in 1962 and issues such as democracy, governance and press freedom are still topical issues. You could also look at the role Kingdoms currently play in Uganda’s governance. If you are more interested in local government we can explain the Local Council structure and arrange for you to meet officials at all levels.
Media
Uganda has a vibrant print, broadcast and online media. Venture Uganda could organise a panel discussion with some of Uganda’s leading journalists debating one of the hottest issues of the day or arrange for students to spend a day at the offices of a local publication. You may prefer to discuss with an NGO how they run their advocacy campaigns. If you want to talk to TV executives or government policy makers about the sector we can arrange that too.
International Development
Uganda has much to offer those with an interest in development studies. Hear directly from those behind the National Development Plan; discuss with donors their role in supporting development, find out what the people think and how their voice is heard. From decentralisation to gender mainstreaming and from HIV/AIDS to corruption we can get you the right speakers and take you to the right places to learn more
Industry
Uganda has a range of industries, large and small, producing goods as varied as soap, sugar, foam mattresses, bread and plastics and services such as banking, telecommunications and tourism. We could arrange a day for students focusing on one of these industries, for example, sugar, where they could talk to policy makers, factory management, farmers and unions, gathering information from all sides.
ICT
Uganda has experienced a huge expansion of its telecommunications sector in the last decade. Students could investigate how mobile phones have changed peoples’ lives in rural villages or how schools are coping with challenges such as staff ICT training or lack of resources. We can arrange for you to meet the key players in the industry or to hear how ICTs are helping other sectors to develop.
Health
We have excellent links to the Ugandan health sector. We can arrange hospital tours, lectures from Ministry of Health personnel and NGOs involved in healthcare, meetings with doctors and nurses and academics specialising in health. Alternatively you may want to hold focus group discussions in a community to find out about the realities of healthcare for the poor.