Volunteer in Uganda:
Women’s Empowerment Internships
Gain hands-on international development experience, build your CV and contribute to grassroots programmes supporting women and girls in rural Uganda.
Work directly with our In-Country Programme Manager in Uganda and receive mentorship and guidance from our UK-based CEO.
Next intake: October 2026 — exact arrival date to be confirmed.
Real project experience
Academic credit available
Certificate + professional reference
APPLY NOW — LIMITED PLACES
Explore the programme ↓
Make an impact. Build your future.
Join Women in Leadership in Busembatia, Eastern Uganda, for an immersive placement combining grassroots women’s empowerment with practical international development experience.
Our placements are designed particularly for university students, graduates and young professionals who want more than an observational volunteer experience.
You will contribute to real programmes, develop practical skills and become part of a locally led team working alongside women and girls in the community.
Where appropriate, we can work directly with your university to accommodate formal internship requirements and academic credit.
Choose your experience
Impact Trip
Duration: 1 month
Fundraising target: £1,650
A focused introduction to grassroots international development for people who want an immersive experience but cannot commit to a full internship.
You may:
Join an existing WIL programme
Support workshops and community activities
Develop intercultural and communication skills
Experience rural community life
Learn about grassroots programme delivery
MOST POPULAR
Internship
Duration: 2–3 months
Fundraising target: £2,450
This is WIL’s core professional development experience.
Participants take on substantive responsibility within one of our programme areas and build experience that can support future careers or academic study.
You may:
Help design and deliver workshops
Contribute to programme planning
Develop project-management and facilitation skills
Work directly with our In-Country Programme Manager
Receive mentorship and guidance from our UK-based CEO
Arrange academic credit with your university where appropriate
Receive a certificate and professional reference following successful completion
Leadership Fellowship
Duration: 6 months
Fundraising target: £3,750
Designed for graduates, postgraduates, career changers and early-career professionals ready for deeper responsibility.
You may:
Take responsibility for a defined area of work
Design and deliver projects and workshops
Contribute to programme development
Develop leadership and project-management experience
Work closely with WIL leadership in Uganda and the UK
Receive a certificate and detailed professional reference following successful completion
Apply for the Leadership Fellowship
Find the placement that fits your interests
Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights
Support education and community outreach with women and girls.
Gender-Based Violence Prevention & Advocacy
Support community education, prevention and awareness alongside WIL’s trained local team.
Women’s Literacy & Education
Help design and facilitate interactive literacy and learning sessions.
Women’s Economic Empowerment & Skills Development
Support tailoring, crafts, enterprise and income-generation programmes.
Tech for Girls & Digital Skills
Help women and girls build digital confidence and practical technology skills.
Youth Media, Storytelling & Journalism
Support girls to build confidence and tell their stories through writing, photography, video and digital media.
Grant Writing, Fundraising & Partnerships
Gain practical experience researching opportunities, developing proposals and supporting NGO fundraising strategy.
More than volunteering
This programme is designed to give participants meaningful professional experience alongside the opportunity to contribute to WIL’s work.
Real responsibility
Contribute to real projects, workshops and programme delivery rather than simply observing.
Leadership experience
Develop project management, communication, facilitation and intercultural skills.
Mentorship
Receive mentorship and guidance from both our In-Country Programme Manager in Uganda and UK-based CEO, offering a unique dual perspective on grassroots delivery and international strategy.
Academic credit
Where required, WIL can work directly with your university to accommodate formal internship requirements and academic credit.
Career development
On successful completion, receive:
Certificate of completion
Professional reference letter
Practical international development experience for your CV and LinkedIn
Live in the heart of the community
Your placement is based in Busembatia in Eastern Uganda, where WIL works directly with women, girls, schools and community partners.
This is an immersive community experience rather than a resort-based volunteer programme.
You will live within the community while being supported by our local team.
Accommodation
Participants stay in shared, dorm-style volunteer accommodation in Busembatia. Accommodation is included within the fundraising target.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included Monday–Friday while participants are in placement. Weekend meals are not included.
Supported from the moment you arrive
Airport arrival: Airport collection on the agreed cohort arrival date.
Welcome to Busembatia: Transfer to the community and introduction to the accommodation and WIL team.
Orientation: Participants receive orientation covering the programme, community, ways of working and relevant policies.
Placement begins: Work with the Uganda team within your selected programme area.
Ongoing support: Receive day-to-day support from the In-Country Programme Manager and strategic guidance and mentorship from WIL’s UK-based CEO.
Life beyond placement
During their free time, participants can explore more of Uganda.
Nearby Jinja is one of Uganda’s best-known visitor destinations and offers activities including white-water rafting, kayaking, Nile experiences, restaurants, cafés and other leisure activities.
WIL can help participants identify local travel providers where appropriate.
Make clear: Optional weekend travel and leisure activities are not included in the fundraising target unless WIL expressly confirms otherwise.
Fundraise for impact
Your placement has a fundraising target — not a programme fee.
Participants fundraise towards their placement while contributing to the sustainability of WIL’s work with women and girls.
Impact Trip — 1 month — £1,650
Internship — 2–3 months — £2,450
Leadership Fellowship — 6 months — £3,750
Your fundraising contributes towards:
Accommodation
Meals Monday–Friday while in placement
Programme-related transport
Training and supervision
Programme resources
WIL’s community programmes
The Girls Who Lead Global Bursary
WIL will provide participants with fundraising guidance and support.
If a participant does not raise the full amount through donations, they may contribute the remaining balance themselves.
What is included?
INCLUDED
Shared accommodation
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday–Friday while in placement
Airport collection and departure transfer on agreed cohort travel dates
Programme-related local transport
Orientation and training
In-country supervision
Programme resources
Certificate on successful completion
Professional reference letter
NOT INCLUDED
Return flights
Visa
Travel insurance
Vaccinations and personal travel-health costs
Weekend meals
Personal spending
Optional excursions and leisure travel
Girls Who Lead Global Bursary
When one woman rises, she holds the door open for another.
We believe international development and leadership opportunities should not only be available to people who can afford them.
That is why 10% of every participant’s fundraising target contributes to the Girls Who Lead Global Bursary.
The bursary fully covers the programme fundraising target for a young woman to join WIL’s 2–3 month Internship in Uganda.
Who is the bursary for?
The bursary is for UK-based young women aged 18–30 from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.
We particularly encourage applications from:
Young women from low-income households
First-generation university students
Black, Asian and other underrepresented ethnic backgrounds
Care leavers
Application process
The bursary uses a trust-based self-declaration model. Applicants are not required to submit financial evidence. Shortlisted applicants attend a 20-minute interview to discuss their motivation, goals and readiness for the placement.
What is covered?
The bursary covers the full £2,450 Internship fundraising target.
The bursary does not cover:
Flights
Visa
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Where possible, WIL will support successful applicants to explore external university or other funding towards travel costs.
COULD THIS BE FOR YOU?
You do not need to arrive knowing everything.
We are looking for people who are:
• Curious and willing to learn
• Passionate about gender equality and social impact
• Respectful of different cultures and ways of living
• Comfortable taking initiative
• Willing to contribute as part of a team
• Ready for the realities of living and working in a rural community
Opportunities are particularly suited to:
• University students
• Recent graduates
• Postgraduates
• Young professionals
• People beginning or transitioning into careers in international development and social impact
Individual programme tracks may have additional requirements.
A laptop will normally be required for placement work.
READY FOR UGANDA?
Next intake: October 2026
Spaces are limited. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
APPLY NOW — LIMITED PLACES
Complete the application form below to start your journey with Women in Leadership.