About VVOB in Uganda

VVOB – education for development has been working in Uganda since 2019. Together with the departments and agencies of the Ministry of Education and Sports and national institutions, we strengthen the education system so every learner can build the skills they need to succeed from foundational literacy and numeracy in primary schools to practical agriculture and entrepreneurship in secondary and technical education. 

A student wearing a pink shirt and green shorts points eagerly with a stick at a chart on an outdoor blackboard, surrounded by trees and a building.

The Context in Uganda 

Uganda’s young and rapidly growing population makes quality education an urgent priority. Many children complete the early grades of primary school without mastering reading and maths, while secondary schools often emphasise theory over practice. Agriculture, a cornerstone of livelihoods, is still largely taught in classrooms rather than through hands-on experience, and early childhood education has yet to make full use of playful approaches that give children a strong start. 

Our Solution 

VVOB partners with the Ministry of Education and Sports to tackle these challenges by embedding proven approaches into national systems: 

  • UCatchUp – a school-based, government-led remedial education model that helps children quickly build foundational literacy and numeracy, through a contextualised Teaching at the Right Level model.
  • Practical agriculture and entrepreneurship education – strengthening teacher and instructor training institutions to ensure young people gain relevant skills for modern, climate-smart farming and sustainable livelihoods.
  • Learning through play – building the confidence of early childhood teachers to use playful methods that enhance literacy and numeracy development. 

Evidence of Success 

  • UCatchUp will reach over 100,000 learners in Kasese district and municipality and is being prepared for wider national adoption.
  • Through the Green LEAP programme, O-level agriculture teachers and TVET instructors are piloting innovative practices such as project-based and work-based learning, aligned with the needs of the green economy.
  • The IT’S PLAY project, funded by the LEGO Foundation, trained lecturers from 23 Primary Teacher Colleges and launched national teacher manuals on play-based learning, approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre. 

The Opportunity 

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. With the right support, this generation can drive progress for the whole country. By giving every learner strong foundations, practical skills, and the confidence to grow, education can open doors to decent work and stronger communities. VVOB works with the departments and agencies of the Ministry of Education and Sports, local governments, and national institutions to scale proven solutions that last beyond any single project. 

Partners 

Guided by our values of quality, integrity, respect, commitment and innovation, we work with: 

  • Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES)
  • National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC)
  • Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE)
  • National Instructors’ College Abilonino (NICA)
  • Gulu University
  • Kasese District Local Government and Kasese Municipal Council
  • Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa
  • HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts 

Supporters including the Government of Belgium and the Hempel Foundation 

Join Us

Our progress is only possible through strong partnerships. If you are a policymaker, researcher, or organisation interested in scaling proven approaches for foundational learning or preparing young people for sustainable futures, VVOB is your partner in Uganda. 

Contact us