Philanthropy Week 2025, held in Uganda from August 4–11, 2025, was a vibrant celebration of giving, collaboration and community-driven change. Organized under the hashtag #PhilanthropyWeek2025, the event brought together NGOs, government officials, community leaders, and philanthropists to reflect on the power of local giving and to strategize on addressing pressing societal challenges. Among the standout participants was Health Promotion and Rights Watch Uganda (HPRW Uganda), which passionately advocated for integrating nutrition and food security into all development initiatives.
Philanthropy Week 2025 featured a series of workshops, panel discussions, and community gatherings aimed at fostering sustainable solutions to Uganda’s challenges. The event emphasized the importance of collective action, with stakeholders sharing innovative ideas to strengthen local communities. Topics ranged from education and health to environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, with a strong focus on grassroots initiatives.
One of the key moments was the closing gathering of givers on August 10–11, 2025, where participants reflected on the transformative potential of philanthropy. As shared on our HPRW Uganda X account, “We wrapped up an incredible #PhilanthropyWeek2025 with a gathering of givers over the weekend. We reflected on the power of local giving and community-driven initiatives. Let’s keep the momentum going.”.
This sentiment captured the week’s spirit of unity and forward-looking optimism.
HPRW Uganda emerged as a vocal participant, advocating for the centrality of nutrition and food security in all development efforts. We emphasized that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of health and well-being. Their message was clear: no development agenda whether focused on education, healthcare or economic growth can succeed without addressing food security and nutrition.
Our representives called for policies and programs that prioritize sustainable agriculture, equitable food distribution, and nutritional education. They urged stakeholders to integrate these elements into every sector, from school curriculums to public health campaigns.
Our advocacy resonated with attendees, sparking discussions on how to align philanthropy with the fight against malnutrition and food insecurity in Uganda.
The event featured powerful insights from government officials and other key figures, whose remarks underscored the importance of collaborative philanthropy.
One of the special takeaways is from Mr. Amos Lugolobi, National Coordinator of the NGO Forum: “The strength of Uganda’s future lies in the unity of its people. #PhilanthropyWeek2025 has shown us that when NGOs, government, and communities collaborate, we can tackle even the most complex challenges”. His remarks emphasized the role of partnerships in driving sustainable change.
Ms. Sarah Kiguli, Community Leader and Philanthropist said; “Local giving is about knowing your community’s needs and responding with love and action. This week has inspired us to think bigger and act bolder”. Her perspective grounded the event in the importance of community-driven solutions.
Philanthropy Week 2025 was not just a moment of reflection but a call to action.
The event showcased how organizations like HPRW Uganda and many others are shaping the narrative around inclusive development.By advocating for nutrition and food security, we highlighted a critical yet often overlooked aspect of philanthropy one that intersects with health, education and economic empowerment.
The discussions also aligned with global philanthropy trends, such as those supported by organizations like Bloomberg Philanthropies, which emphasizes public health and sustainable development.
While Uganda’s context is unique, the principles of collaboration and innovation championed during Philanthropy Week 2025 echo global efforts to improve lives through targeted giving.
In conclusion, the momentum from Philanthropy Week 2025 must continue. Our advocacy for integrating nutrition and food security into all development efforts serves as a rallying cry for policymakers, NGOs, and philanthropists alike. The event’s success lies in its ability to inspire ongoing action, with stakeholders committing to sustained collaboration and innovative solutions.
Philanthropy Week 2025 has set a high bar for what collective action can achieve. With organizations like HPRW Uganda leading the charge, Uganda is poised to build a future where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive starting with the right to nutritious food and a healthy life