Over 2 million children in Uganda have become orphans with 420,000 having lost their mothers and 1,330,000 having lost their fathers. Approximately 402,500 children have lost both parents.
Every child deserves a safe, permanent family.
API promotes adoption in Uganda through awareness, empowerment, advocacy, and community support for adoptive families.
Helping families understand Adoption.
Adoptive Parents Initiative Uganda is a community and advocacy initiative for family-based care. It exists to make adoption easier to understand, less isolating for families, and better supported by the people and institutions around each child.
API was founded by Ugandan adoptive parents to create a supportive platform for sharing adoption journeys, guiding families, and building a community around children thriving in families and communities.
About 12% of children in Uganda are orphans, with some estimates suggesting that 1 in 5 children is vulnerable.
Many orphaned children live in orphanages, with approximately 50,000 children currently residing in these institutions. However, community-based care is considered a more cost-effective and sustainable solution.
Four focus areas
API connects public education, family support, community connection, and advocacy so adoption is understood with care and responsibility.
Advocacy
API engages families, practitioners, partners, and public leaders so adoption in Uganda is better understood, better supported, and centred on the best interests of each child.
- Policy conversations and public education
- Evidence-informed issue briefs
Awareness
API creates public education spaces where prospective parents and communities can learn what adoption is, what it is not, and where to seek official guidance.
- Myths and facts about adoption
- Community campaigns and media engagement
Initiative
API initiatives include conferences, seminars, trainings, adoption-resource sessions, and practical gatherings for families considering or living adoption.
- Conferences, seminars, and trainings
- Adoption awareness resources
Community
API supports a national network of adoptive families through peer connection, mentorship, family activities, and post-adoption support referrals.
- Support groups and family meetups
- Peer mentoring and referral pathways
Practical spaces for families and partners.
From awareness sessions to peer support, API initiatives are designed to help families learn, prepare, connect, and seek the right guidance.
Conferences, seminars, and trainings
Learning spaces for parents, practitioners, advocates, and partners, with confirmed details shared only after approval.
Learn moreAdoption awareness and resources
Plain-language materials that help families ask better questions and know where official guidance belongs.
Learn moreSupport groups
Peer connection for adoptive parents and prospective families, shaped around privacy, care, and practical encouragement.
Learn moreCommunity building
Gatherings and partner conversations that reduce isolation and strengthen family-based care support around children.
Learn moreFamily stories, shared with care.
This space will hold verified stories and impact reflections once API has consent, safeguarding review, and approved public details.
Awaiting verified family story
A parent finding language for the journey
A story space for prospective parents who are learning what adoption means, what questions to ask, and where official guidance belongs.
Read moreConsent required before publication
A child supported by family connection
A future impact feature about family-based care, belonging, and the support systems children need around them.
Read moreDetails to be approved
A community learning together
A placeholder for partner and community learning moments that reduce stigma and help families feel less alone.
Read moreAwaiting verified family story
A parent finding language for the journey
A story space for prospective parents who are learning what adoption means, what questions to ask, and where official guidance belongs.
Read moreConsent required before publication
A child supported by family connection
A future impact feature about family-based care, belonging, and the support systems children need around them.
Read moreDetails to be approved
A community learning together
A placeholder for partner and community learning moments that reduce stigma and help families feel less alone.
Read moreConsidering adoption or looking for family support?
API can help you understand common questions, find public resources, and connect with the right next step while formal guidance remains with the responsible authorities and qualified advisers.