Our Story

The community of Ugandans in the State of Colorado has a story rooted in vision, resilience, and a deep desire to belong. In 1999, Ugandans living in the Denver metro area came together and decided it was time to form an association that would bring them under one umbrella. Out of those early conversations and informal meetings, the first organized body—“United Ugandan Association”—was born as a non‑profit corporation in Colorado. It began as a simple yet powerful idea: to create a home away from home where Ugandans could connect, support each other, and preserve their identity in a new environment.

Over 27 years, that idea has grown, adapted, and matured. The association has gone through phases of renewal and rebranding, evolving through various names as leaders and members continuously refined its purpose and image. Each change reflected lessons learned, shifting community needs, and a stronger sense of who Ugandans in Colorado are and what they aspire to become. This journey of brand and identity development eventually led to its current name and umbrella identity: the United Ugandans Association of Colorado (UUACO). Today, UUACO stands as the continuation and consolidation of those earlier efforts, carrying forward the legacy of the founding community while positioning itself for the future.

Our Community Size & Contirbution to Colorado State

The Ugandan community in Colorado is now significant both in size and in its contribution to the state. It is estimated that there are over 2,500 Ugandans living in Colorado, with more than 800 families having attachment to Uganda—whether by birth, marriage, or heritage. These families are spread across several cities and towns, with a strong concentration in the Denver metro area and notable presence in cities such as Aurora, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, and Westminster, among others. Each of these localities has its own character, but together they form a vibrant, interlinked network of Ugandans who share common roots and shared aspirations.

a man riding a skateboard down the side of a ramp

Service title

When it was first established as “United Ugandan Association” and registered as a non‑profit corporation in Colorado, the organization set out the following goals:

Provide information to the Ugandan community and assist members in accessing local resources and services.
Advocate for recognition of the contributions and impact of immigrants in the United States, with special emphasis on the Ugandan community.
Offer timely information and, where possible, connect individuals to legal assistance when facing deportation proceedings or other immigration‑related legal challenges.
Conduct training sessions in information technology, small business start‑ups, cultural and artistic endeavors, and other skills that support personal and economic advancement.
Increase participation and membership in community organizations with similar goals, building networks and coalitions that strengthen the voice of Ugandans in Colorado.
Disseminate education and information related to health, with particular attention to HIV/AIDS and other issues affecting the community.
Address social issues affecting women and children—such as domestic abuse, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug abuse, and financial deprivation—by raising awareness and promoting access to support.

These original goals were later reviewed and revised to reflect the growing numbers, changing realities, and evolving needs of the Ugandan community in Colorado.