About Us

The practice of charity in the church is as old as the church itself. It has roots in the early Christian community. We read from Acts of Apostles that the Apostles chose “Seven men of good reputation, filled with the spirit and with wisdom and handed over to them the duty to give out food” (6:2-23). In the same spirit, Pope Francis declared: “A Church without Charity does not exist … and referred to Caritas as the heart of the Church”. The practice of charity has changed with times and places. Although in each country Caritas has autonomy for its interventions, it represents only one organized form of charity within the Catholic Church.

The first National Caritas was founded in Germany on 9th/November/ 1897, followed by Caritas Switzerland in 1901, and the United States Caritas and the Netherlands in 1910 and 1924, respectively. In 1924, European Caritas were all organized under the title “Caritas International”. In 1950, during the Holy Year, the Substitute of States for the Holy See, His Grace Archbishop Giovanni Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI, confronted with increasing number of post-war problems and in his desire to assure the Church’s presence in social field, convoked an international meeting of all Catholic organizations involved in charitable and social work. That day saw the birth of a new body called “International Confederation of Catholic Charities”. In 1957, the 10th Executive Committee adopted a similar name for it, Caritas Internationalis (C.I) , with regional/continental structures, such as Caritas Africa and Caritas Europa.

In Uganda, the Uganda Episcopal Conference recognized its social-pastoral ministry and formed the Commission of Social Service & Development in 1958, becoming operational only in 1970, headed by a Bishop under whom an Executive Secretary was appointed to spearhead Social Services and Economic Development of the marginalized in the country. In June 1999, the Conference resolved to name the social Commission for Social Services and Development “Caritas Uganda”, while maintaining the sub-heading of Social Services and Development.

Pope Benedict XVI, who, in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (#20), recommended that all church’s work of charity must be organized, later affirmed structuring of the socio-pastoral means for effective and coherent work for both national to parish level has become a means for effective and coherent work for both diocesan and national level actions with a common mission and vision. The structuring has also promoted harmonious cooperation, methodological operations and sustainability of interventions.

Our Vision

“…that they may have life and have it in its fullness.”
(Jn. 10:10)

Our Mission

Build strong human communities where charity and justice prevail and households and individuals have more choices, thus, live longer and quality lives.

Caritas Documentary

What we do in communities

- Caritas Messages -

Director's Message
Greetings and Blessings to you all people of God.

As the National Director of Caritas Uganda, it is my utmost pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all visitors, supporters, and partners to our website. Here, you will discover the transformative work we are engaged in, striving to create a more just and compassionate society.

Caritas Uganda is part of a global network of Caritas organizations of the Catholic Church, inspired by Sacred Scripture, Church tradition, and the principles of Catholic social teaching, and driven by our unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable (fundamental option for the poor). With a rich history and experience of over 50 years of serving humanity, we have been at the forefront of addressing pressing social issues, promoting human dignity, and empowering communities across the nation leaving no one behind. In a nutshell, Caritas’ work rotates around three pillars namely Saving lives, Reducing risks and Building communities.

Based on the vision, “…that they may have life and have it to its fullness” (Jn. 10:10), at Caritas Uganda, we believe in a holistic approach to development, one that encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of individuals and communities. Our programs span a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, livelihoods, emergency response, care for mother earth, charity to people with special needs, building capacity in governance, and research and advocacy. Through these initiatives, we aim to alleviate poverty, promote sustainable development, and foster a culture of peace and solidarity.

We are proud of our professional and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. Their passion, compassion, and expertise are the driving force behind our success. Together, we strive to build bridges of hope, put a smile on the faces of those suffering in different ways, promote social justice, and empower marginalized individuals and groups to become agents of change within their own communities.

Our website serves as a gateway to explore the various projects and initiatives we undertake, highlighting the stories of transformation and resilience that inspire us every day. It is also a platform where you can learn about ways to get involved, whether through volunteering, making a donation, or becoming an advocate for social justice.

I invite you to browse through our website, delve into the stories that showcase the impact of our work, and discover the myriad ways in which you can join hands with us to make a difference. Together, we can create a more equitable and compassionate Uganda, where every person is given the opportunity to thrive and fulfill their potential.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to embarking on this journey of hope with you. Warm regards.

Rev. Fr. Hilary Muheezangango
National Director, Caritas Uganda

Benficiary Testimony

Adult Literacy