national 10 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
World Vision Departs Rakai's Kyarurangira After Two Decades of Development Work
After 20 years of significant interventions in areas like child nutrition, education, and water access, World Vision Uganda is transitioning out of the Kyarurangira Area Development Programme in Rakai District, leaving communities to sustain the progress made. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-world-vision-is-exiting-rakai-s-kyarurangira-after-20-years-5591174
World Vision Uganda has concluded its 20-year operation in the Kyarurangira Area Development Programme (ADP) within Rakai District. The organization’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter that saw substantial improvements in the lives of children and families in the region, which was once characterized by severe social and economic challenges.
During its two-decade presence, World Vision implemented a wide range of initiatives aimed at child well-being, focusing on education, health, nutrition, livelihoods, child protection, and access to clean water and sanitation. These efforts have been credited with transforming communities that previously grappled with issues such as child malnutrition, limited access to clean water, low literacy rates, and widespread poverty.
The impact of World Vision’s work is evident in several key areas. The prevalence of child malnutrition has reportedly decreased from 36 percent to 20 percent. Significant strides have also been made in education, with the attainment of expected education levels among 11-year-olds rising from 19 percent to 96 percent. Furthermore, access to clean water for households has surged from 16.9 percent to 89 percent.
In addition to these improvements, World Vision invested in educational infrastructure, constructing 42 classrooms to alleviate overcrowding and improve learning conditions for hundreds of pupils. The organization also supported livelihoods through income-generating activities and resilience-building initiatives, contributing to a decline in household poverty.
Local leaders, while expressing sadness at the organization’s exit from Kyarurangira, acknowledged the lasting positive changes and urged communities and government to safeguard these achievements. World Vision stated that this transition is designed to empower local institutions and communities to sustain the progress while the organization redirects its resources to other areas with pressing needs.
The farewell event, held at Kiziba Playground on September 9, 2026, was a moment of reflection and gratitude, celebrating the partnership that has reshaped the landscape of Kyarurangira. World Vision Uganda’s development approach has emphasized long-term community development and empowering communities to take ownership of their progress.