Who We Are

YWCA Uganda is a faith-based Christian membership organization, a non-governmental organization founded in 1952 and led by women and young women. It is organised around a network of clubs at the grassroots to promote the social and economic wellbeing of women and the girl child.

Our work has two complementary parts: the YWCA Vocational Training Institute in Kampala, and development programmes carried out with partners.

Our global heritage

YWCA began in London in 1855, when Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird and Emma Robarts set up a hostel for nurses and prayer groups for young women. In 1894 the YWCAs of Great Britain, Norway, Sweden and the United States founded the World YWCA, which is based in Geneva. The World YWCA works to develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls in their own lives, in their communities and in public life. YWCA Uganda joins the movement every year in marking World YWCA Day on 24 April.

YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is a separate organisation from the YMCA.