Compassion. Accountability. Action.

Uniting Uganda's Animal Welfare Leaders

One alliance. Verified organizations. A shared mission to protect every animal across Uganda.

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Uganda's Biggest Animal Rescue

56 Animals Rescued. One Criminal Trial.

AWAU members recovered 58 animals from a criminal shelter scam network in Mityana. The case is active. Help us finish the job.

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Be The Change. Join The Alliance.

Your Organization Belongs Here.

AWAU is open to NGOs, CBOs, vet clinics, and individuals committed to animal welfare in Uganda.

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WHO WE ARE

Bringing Uganda's Animal Welfare Community
Together, For a Good Cause.

We are passionate, professional Ugandan animal welfare advocates and international organizations and donors supporting the efforts of implementing partners on the ground, united by one founding conviction: that every animal in Uganda deserves to be treated with the dignity and respect they are owed.

In our pursuit of a compassionate and sustainable future for animals, AWAU serves as a credible and transparent resource for foundations and private donors, showcasing only verified, registered organizations actively working within Uganda. Every member of our alliance is held to a founding constitution that enshrines accountability, fair dealing, and full financial transparency.

Your support reaches real organizations doing real work, and we can prove it.

What We Stand For

The Values That Drive Everything We Do

Our work is guided by more than good intentions. Every decision we make, every organization we welcome, and every animal we advocate for is held to a set of principles we wrote into our founding constitution and commit to every single day. These are not aspirations. They are obligations.

Accountability

We uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparent operations and responsible action in every community we serve.

Collaboration

We work hand-in-hand with member organizations to design, implement, and strengthen welfare initiatives that create meaningful nationwide impact.

Compassion

We champion kindness, dignity, and humane treatment for all animals, driving efforts that reduce suffering and build more caring communities.

Fairness

We commit to equitable practices and respectful partnerships, ensuring that all stakeholders are treated with integrity and consideration.

Sustainability

We focus on long-term, community-rooted solutions that improve animal welfare in ways that remain effective and lasting.

Service

We prioritize volunteerism and service above self, dedicating our efforts to improving animal lives rather than personal gain.

OUR MEMBERS

The Organizations Behind the Mission.

AWAU is only as strong as the organizations that make it up. Every member has been verified, registered, and held to the standards of our founding constitution, bringing their own expertise, community reach, and commitment to a shared national mission of animal welfare across Uganda.

Vetconekt
USPCA
UniquelyPaws
UWAC
Cat
Cau
BigFix
AKi
Vetlit
Nile
ctph
bam
lucid
Uganda
usa
uk
Swizz
Canada
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The People Holding the Alliance to Its Word.

Every decision AWAU makes is guided by four elected officers, chosen by the General Assembly and bound by our founding constitution. Leadership in service of Uganda's animals nothing more, nothing less.

Dr Dickson Tayebwa Chairperson
Bart Kakooza Vice Chairperson
Meg Jaquay Secretary
Faye Thomas Treasurer

Featured News & Insights

Stories, updates, and insights from across Uganda's animal welfare alliance.

The Five Domains Model: A Better Framework for Understanding Animal Welfare

The Five Domains Model, developed by David Mellor and Christopher Reid in 1994, is a scientific framework to systematically evaluate animal welfare — going beyond preventing suffering to ensure animals have a life worth living.

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56 Animals Rescued from a Criminal Dog Scam Network in Uganda. Here's How You Can Help

In May 2026, AWAU carried out one of the most significant animal rescue operations in Uganda's history — 52 dogs and 6 cats pulled from a criminal dog scam network in Mityana.

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You Think You're Helping — But What Happens When You Stop?

Unverified 'shelters' that rely entirely on foreign donations are not sustainable — and when the money stops, the animals are the ones who suffer. Here's how to redirect your compassion toward lasting solutions.

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Costs to Register a Business in Uganda – Take One Minute to Learn

An American was told a 'sanctuary' in Iganga needed $1000 to register as a business. Here's what registering a business in Uganda actually costs — and why that request is a major red flag.

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Be Careful Who You Support – Dog Shelter Scams

A growing number of social media accounts from Uganda stage animal suffering to generate donations. Here's how the scam operates, the warning signs, and a verification checklist before you give.

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My Story

A firsthand account of being scammed by a Ugandan 'shelter' operator online — from the first friendly comment to the GoFundMe campaign, and the moment the truth came out.

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How to Spot a Fake Ugandan Shelter on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn

Uganda now has more social media accounts scamming donors using staged animal suffering than any other country in the world. Here's how to recognize the pattern and what's being done to stop it.

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Being Scammed Does Not Define You. Continuing to Care — Wisely — Does.

You were not scammed because you were naive — you were scammed because you care. Here's how to process the shame, and redirect your compassion toward organizations that earn your trust.

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Uganda's Animals Have a Global
Community Behind Them.

From Kampala to the world, AWAU unites local organizations, international partners, and passionate advocates in a single, constitutionally bound alliance dedicated to raising the standard of animal welfare across Uganda.

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Animals Served by AWAU Members

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Member Organizations

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Years of Combined Experience

Join the Alliance

Whether you're an organization, veterinary group, or community initiative, you can be part of a nationwide effort to elevate animal welfare standards and save lives.

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