Everyday Generosity: Ugandans top 2025 global giving ranks

August 6, 2025 in by Editor

One morning on his way to work, journalist Isaac Imaka stopped to offer a lift to a visibly distressed Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier trudging along the road to Mulago National Referral Hospital. The man, Imaka later recalled, was tearful and desperate. His wife was dying of cancer at Mulago Hospital, and he had no money. Touched by the soldier’s plight, Imaka handed him UGX200,000 to help manage the crisis.

Two years later, in a near-mirror encounter, another soldier flagged Imaka down near Kyaliwajjala. This time the story was the same: a wife in Mulago’s Cancer Institute, a penniless husband, and a plea for help. But something felt off. “I didn’t even allow him to finish the story,” Imaka recalled. “I just found the next parking space and gave him one non-negotiable command: Get out.”

The encounter reflects a dilemma at the heart of philanthropy in Uganda: a deep well of personal generosity tempered by a lingering trust deficit. And yet, despite such experiences, Uganda continues to rank among the most generous countries in the world.

According to the World Giving Report 2025 – Uganda Edition, released by CivLegacy Foundation and the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), 79pc of Ugandans gave money in 2024—far surpassing the global average of 64pc. They also gave more of their income: an average of 2.04pc compared to the global 1.04pc. Uganda also stood out in volunteerism, with 44pc of Ugandans contributing their time—nearly double the global average.

This spirit of giving is not limited to big donations or corporate foundations. It is embedded in daily acts of kindness, often unrecorded but no less impactful. “The dominant narrative of philanthropy tends to highlight institutional or corporate actors,” says Moses Isoba, Executive Director of the Uganda National NGO Forum. “But in Uganda, it is the boda rider who gives a ride to a stranger, the market woman who shares her earnings with a neighbor, or the youth who volunteers at a local orphanage.”

The NGO Forum is working with media outlets to shift perceptions and spotlight the contributions of everyday citizens. “Development doesn’t only come from foreign aid. It can also come from our own acts of giving—even in scarcity,” Isoba says.

The World Giving Report shows that Ugandans primarily donate through informal channels—48.5pc to individuals in need, and 39pc to religious institutions. Just 12.5pc of contributions go to formal charities. This points to a preference for giving where the impact is direct and visible. Religious giving, often rooted in spiritual duty, remains a strong motivator.

But there’s a paradox: while Ugandans score high in actual giving, they perceive themselves as less generous—ranking 62nd in perception despite being 6th globally in practice. This gap, experts say, reflects a lack of storytelling around local generosity.

“There is a need to communicate the everyday ways Ugandans give—this helps affirm the value of our culture of care,” says Jackie Asiimwe, executive director of CivSource Africa Foundation.

The barriers to giving are also revealing. Most people refrain not because of mistrust, but due to financial hardship (63pc). Others give in non-monetary ways, like food or gifts (18pc). Just 3pc cited lack of trust as the main deterrent, suggesting that building awareness and impact transparency may unlock even more giving.

Trust in the broader charitable sector remains relatively strong. Local and regional NGOs are viewed as essential community players, even as international NGOs enjoy a higher trust rating. Uganda scored 12.4/15 in public valuation of the charity sector—above both continental and global averages.

However, government-civil society relations remain fragile. Only 14pc of respondents said the government’s engagement with charities is “very positive,” while 36pc saw it as “openly critical.” To bridge this divide, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and NGO actors have initiated quarterly dialogues to foster better cooperation.

The report also points to the critical role of religious and community networks in sustaining Uganda’s culture of giving. Twenty-two percent of respondents learned about charitable organisations through places of worship, while 17pc relied on word-of-mouth. Social media and mainstream media lagged behind, suggesting a missed opportunity for outreach and storytelling.

What emerges from the report is a portrait of a country where giving is deeply personal, shaped by faith, culture, and community ties. Whether it’s volunteering hours in a local school or offering a lift to someone in distress, Ugandans continue to demonstrate that generosity isn’t just about wealth—it’s about spirit.

As the National NGO Forum and its partners push for a giving culture that is community-led, they’re also making a broader argument that philanthropy in Africa doesn’t need to look like it does in the West. It needs to be rooted in local realities, led by communities, and guided by trust.

Imaka’s story—of giving once and being burned—is not a cautionary tale against generosity. It is a reminder that in Uganda, the heart to help is ever present, even when tested. The challenge now is to channel that goodwill into sustainable, transparent, and inclusive systems of support. Because in Uganda, the biggest donors may not wear suits or run foundations. They’re on the road, in the market, in your taxi, giving what little they can—because that’s what neighbours do.