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Adopting from Uganda

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

The official coat of arms
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Mount Khadam
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Street views in Kampala
Source: Wikipedia.org.

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Source: flickr.com.

Woman in Ruwenzori
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Students
Source: Wikipedia.org.

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Source: Wikipedia.org.

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Source: flickr.com.

Kob (male) in the Queen Elisabeth National Park
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Tetugu village
Source: flickr.com.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Uganda

The colonial boundaries created by Britain to delimit Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures. These differences prevented the establishment of a working political community after independence was achieved in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives. The rule of Yoweri MUSEVENI since 1986 has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda. A constitutional referendum in 2005 cancelled a 19-year ban on multi-party politics. Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html.

Hague Convention Information

Uganda is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F). To learn more please read about Uganda and the Hague Convention.


Who Can Adopt

Ugandan law places restrictions on the ability of foreign citizens to adopt Ugandan children. The Children's Act states that a foreign citizen may, in exceptional circumstances, adopt a Ugandan child if the foreigner has resided in Uganda for at least three years and if the foreigner has also fostered the child for 36 months. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Uganda.

Who Can Be Adopted

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Uganda has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Uganda.


How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Uganda's Adoption Authority

The Department of Youth and Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is the body charged with overseeing inter-country adoptions. Legal guardianship or adoption orders can only be granted by the High Court.

Uganda's Children Act is the legislation governing all aspects of the fostering, legal guardianship, and adoption process.


The Process

The process for adopting a child from Uganda generally includes the following steps:


  1. Choose an adoption service provider
  2. Apply to be found eligible to adopt
  3. Be matched with a child
  4. Adopt or obtain custody of the child in Uganda
  5. Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
  6. Bring your child home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Uganda.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Uganda. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. To learn more please read Traveling Abroad in Uganda.


After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Uganda

Plot 1577 Ggaba Road P.O. Box 7007, Kampala Uganda Telephone: 256 414 306 001 Email: KampalaAdoptions@state.gov Website: U.S. Embassy Uganda


Uganda’s Adoption Authority

The Department of Youth and Child Affairs Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Simbamanyo House, Plot 2 Lumumba Avenue Kampala, Uganda Telephone: 256-413-478-545 Fax: 256-41-256-374 E-mail: ps@mglsd.go.ug Website: MGLSD


Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)

Plot 5 George Street, Georgian House P.O. Box 6848 Kampala, Uganda URSB General Line: 256-414-233-219 Registrar General: 256-414-235-915 Fax: 256-414-250-712 Email: ursb@ursb.go.ug Website: URSB


Embassy of the Republic of Uganda

5911 16th Street, NW, Washington DC 20011 Tel: (202) 726-7100 Fax: (202) 726-1727 Email: info@ugandaembassyus.org Website: Embassy of Uganda


Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)


SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=uganda