1.0 What is URAA:

The Uganda Reach the Aged Association (URAA) is a national voluntary, non-profit governmental organisation. URAA is Uganda's major age care organisation and the national actor on ageing. URAA seeks to promote family/ community care as opposed to insititutional care which tends to isolate and alienate older persons. Since 1992, URAA is a membership organisation that works closely with HelpAge to promote the welfare and secure human rights of older people. As an umbrella oragnisation, it implements its activties through its members.

2.0 Vision

URAA's Vision is a dignified self-fulfilled poverty free ageing Uganda.

3.0 Mission Statement

URAA's mission is to work and advocate for improved quality of life and preservation of the dignity of older persons in Uganda.

4.0 Values

• Dignity and Mutual Respect
• Courage of conviction
• Transparency, Trust and Accountability
• Ageing, fellowship and selflessness

5.0 Rationale

URAA was founded in 1991 by a group of committed Ugandans after realizing that;

• there is a weakening system of the traditional extended family by socio-economcal changes which has left many older persons with no proper care, isolated and lonely;
• there is an increased burden of caring for their orphaned grandchildren coupled with physical weaknesses caused by the process of ageing;
• there is increased poverty due to loss of productivity as a result of old age and lack of care;
• there is a belief that older persons are nolonger useful to society.

6.0 Organizational setup

6.1 The general Assembly
This is the supreme decision- making body composed of all members of the Association. it elects members of the BOD to which it delegates any of its powers as it seems appropriate.

6.2 The Board of Directors- BOD
This exercises decision-making powers on behalf of the general Assembly and it is the policy making body. The Board of Directors are elected from bona-fide members of the Association at the Annual General Assembly. The term of office for the Board is 3 years renewable for one other term. The current Board is composed of 10 members (6 male and 4 female)

6.4 The Secretariat
This is managed by skilled full time staff, headed by a Chief Executive officer. It offers technical advice and is responsible for the implementation of policy and execution of programmes approved by the BOD. It is housed at the office headquaters of the Association at Kireka-Namugongo Road. Currently there are two field offices; one in kasese and another in Bundibugyo