Book Aid International has been making a difference in Uganda since the 1990s. In 2011 89,544 books were donated to Uganda. More than half of these were children’s books. We are working with the Uganda Community Libraries Association (UgCLA) to transform community library services, and since 2008 we worked with Kyambogo University, providing books to support teacher training. In 2013 we are working with the National Library of Uganda to improve children’s services in public libraries.
Country statistics
Human development index ranking: 161st out of 187 countries
% of the population living on less than US$1.25 per day: 29%
Adult literacy: 71% (male: 81%; female: 62%)
Net enrolment in primary education 91%; secondary education 22%
Total enrolment in tertiary education: 124,000
Why we work in Uganda
Uganda is amongst the poorest countries in the world. English is one of the official languages and is widely spoken. It is taught in schools, but there is a severe shortage of books in both English and the local languages making books which Book Aid International donates an extremely valuable resource. The school curriculum follows that of the UK, so that the primary and secondary-level books that we send are relevant and help to reduce the high book:student ratio.
