The Uganda Scouts Association
| The Uganda Scouts Association | |||
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| Headquarters | Kampala | ||
| Country | Uganda | ||
| Founded | 1925/1986 | ||
| Membership | 116,465 | ||
| Patron | Yoweri Kaguta Museveni | ||
| Chief Scout | Prof. Maggie Kigozi | ||
| Executive Secretary | Richard Okello | ||
| Chief Commissioner | Eng Sam Onep | ||
| Affiliation | World Organization of the Scout Movement | ||
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Website http://www.ugandascouts.org |
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The Uganda Scouts Association is the national Scouting organization of Uganda. The Association became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1964. It serves 116,465 members (as of 2011).
Scouting was founded in British protectorate of Uganda in 1915. Church missionary Rev. Canon H.M. Grace was sent to Ankole in western Uganda to start Mbarara High School. He also started the first troop in Uganda. The movement took time to spread over the country during World War I, as the public thought Scouting was too military. In 1918, the Rev. Grace was transferred to Namirembe, where he started a second troop of Scouts.
During World War II, Scouts served their community by working in post offices sorting mail, directing traffic and other meaningful duties.
Until 1971, Scouting grew very popular in Uganda and membership was spread all over the country. This all came to a halt between 1971 and 1981, due to the political situation in Uganda. Scouting suffered again in 1985 due to the wars and instability in the country.
In 1986, Scouting resurfaced, and the Ministry of Education formally became the overseer of the Uganda Scouts Association. Although Scouting is a non-governmental organization, the Ugandan government has taken a keen interest in the movement. Unlike other countries, the Ugandan government has appointed a full-time worker in every district, called district executive commissioners, to co-ordinate activities of the Scouts, in recognition of the immense contribution the movement makes and can make towards the education of the youth education outside the classroom.
A few years later, probably due to economic pressures the Government withdrew its funding for the paid District Executive Commissioners and they became volunteer posts.
Formed in 1994 the UK Uganda Network originally called the UNITE Network produced close relationships between Scouts in the UK and those in Uganda. This resulted in many joint projects and visits.
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