Uganda adoption Program

Generally a home study can be completed in 6 to 8 weeks.  For families using an agency, other than Living Hope Adoption Agency, to complete their home study, this may vary.

Most families are able to put together their dossier in approximately three months.

There is no government agency that oversees adoptions in Uganda.

Depending on the gender and age of the child desired, generally referrals are made within 8-9 months of application.

See above.

There is a need for families for boys and girls including toddlers and older children.  Parents must be prepared in every international adoption to parent a child with developmental delays and minor medical issues.  With that being said, there are children available for adoption in Uganda who can be considered healthy, as well as children who have medical special needs.

Yes, sibling groups are available.

No.  Just one spouse must be a U.S. citizen.

Singles are eligible to adopt, but must adopt a child of the same gender.

Yes, prospective adoptive parents must travel to Uganda for court.

Families can choose to make one long trip of 6-8 weeks or two shorter trips, where the first trip is approximately 10 days and the second trip is 3-4 weeks.

The Uganda Program Coordinator will make in country travel arrangements including lodging and arranging for transportation.  Airline tickets can be purchased by the family or by Living Hope Adoption Agency's Travel Coordinator.

English is spoken in Uganda making communication with government officials, your attorney, driver, and service staff very easy.

Families are required to submit three post adoption reports, done by a social worker at 6, 12, and 24 months after placement.  Following that, families must submit annual self-written updates until their child reaches the age of 18.

In order to legally adopt a child in Uganda, Uganda law requires prospective adoptive parents to foster the child for three years.  However, Ugandan law also allows for prospective adoptive parents to be granted permanent legal guardianship of a child without meeting the fostering requirement.  When you travel to Uganda for court, you will be petitioning the court for permanent legal guardianship of the child.  You will then be required to return home and finalize the adoption of your child in a court in your home state.

There are several different Judges who oversee legal guardianship cases in Uganda.  Some judges have been known to require Homeland visits in their rulings.  Others do not.  A Homeland visit is where the adoptive parents bring their child back to Uganda to be seen by the Registrar of the Court.  Some judges require that this be done every 5 years until the child turns 18.  Others require that parents bring their child back every 3 years.  There is no way to determine which Judge will hear a case, so families must be willing to accept the possibility that they may be required to bring their child back to Uganda every three years for a Homeland visit.

The prospective adoptive family must submit a letter providing a reason as to why they are declining the child and the Adoption Committee will decide whether or not the family will be eligible to receive another referral.