Our history
Guiding has been part of girls’ lives in Uganda since 1914 - through independence, through the years the movement nearly disappeared, and on to the centenary.
The Uganda Girl Guides Association (UGGA) has a rich, century-long history that began when Girl Guiding was first introduced to the country in 1914 at Kyebambe Girls’ Primary School, present day Toro Girls’ School, Kabarole District, by Lady Foster Smith. The movement grew rapidly and achieved formal legal status on March 23, 1922, when it was officially incorporated under the Royal Charter Act (Act of Parliament 147, Volume 5). A major milestone occurred in 1956 when the World Chief Guide, Olave Baden Powell visited Kampala to lay the foundation stone for the permanent joint headquarters of the Girl Guides and Scouts associations. We are proud to be the only country and Association in Africa to be visited twice by Lady Olave Baden Powell; respectively in 1956 and 1967.
Following Uganda’s independence, leadership transitioned from British expatriates to Ugandan nationals, and UGGA officially became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in 1963. Despite facing a severe decline in membership during the political and civil instabilities of the 1970s and 1980s under Idi Amin, the association underwent a steady, robust revival starting in 1981. Celebrating its grand centenary milestone in April 2023 at the Kololo Independence Grounds, UGGA has evolved from its colonial roots focused on domestic and moral coaching into a powerful, data-driven national movement operating across more than 113 districts.
Milestones
The same century, as dates.
1914
Guiding arrives in Uganda
Lady Foster Smith introduces Girl Guiding at Kyebambe Girls’ Primary School - present day Toro Girls’ School - in Kabarole District.
1922
Formally incorporated
On 23 March the association gains legal status under the Royal Charter Act, Act of Parliament 147, Volume 5.
1956
A headquarters of our own
World Chief Guide Olave Baden Powell visits Kampala to lay the foundation stone for the permanent joint headquarters of the Guides and Scouts associations.
1963
Full WAGGGS membership
After independence, leadership passes from British expatriates to Ugandan nationals and UGGA becomes a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
1967
A second visit
Lady Olave Baden Powell returns, making Uganda the only country and association in Africa she visited twice.
1981
Revival
After the severe decline in membership through the instability of the 1970s, the association begins a steady rebuild.
2023
A century of guiding
The centenary is celebrated in April at the Kololo Independence Grounds, with guiding active in more than 113 districts.
The next hundred years
Guiding in Uganda has always run on the girls who join and the adults who lead them.
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