Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Makerere University info@usaaug.org 0772 525 487
What We Do
Our Services
USAA delivers a range of professional services to its members and to the broader development community in Uganda. From capacity building and professional certification to research facilitation and policy advisory support, USAA exists to serve – its members, its profession, and Ugandan society.
Your Community. Your Association.
Professional Membership & Certification
USAA provides formal professional membership to qualified sociologists and anthropologists in Uganda. Upon successful application and payment of fees, members receive:
- An official USAA Certificate of Membership – a recognized mark of professional standing in the discipline.
- A unique membership number and listing in the USAA membership register.
- Accreditation by the relevant government institution, as USAA works towards full government recognition of the profession.
- Professional references and referrals on request, USAA provides references for members for employment, research, and project purposes.
This certification is more than a document; it is a signal to employers and partners that you are a trained, ethical, and committed social scientist.
Your Community. Your Association.
Capacity Building & Professional Development
USAA invests in the ongoing growth of its members. Through our Committee on Capacity Development, we provide:
- Training workshops and seminars – thematic sessions covering topics in sociology, anthropology, research methods, data analysis, social policy, and professional practice.
- National and international conference participation – USAA facilitates and sponsors member participation in symposia and conferences across Uganda, Africa, and globally.
- Mentorship connections – linking emerging professionals with senior practitioners and academics within the USAA network.
- Continuing professional development (CPD) support – guidance and opportunities for members to sustain and deepen their professional education throughout their careers.
Your Community. Your Association.
Research & Publication Support
Uganda's social scientists produce important knowledge. USAA ensures that knowledge reaches the audiences it deserves. We provide:
- Journal publication – USAA coordinates the publication of a sociological and anthropological journal, giving members a formal platform to publish peer-reviewed research.
- Research grant coordination – USAA works to identify, communicate, and facilitate access to research grants for members.
- Publication guidelines and standards – our Capacity Development Committee sets the standards for professional sociological and anthropological publications in Uganda.
- Research networking – connecting members with complementary research interests for collaboration and joint publication.
Your Community. Your Association.
Advocacy & Policy Advisory
Sociology and anthropology have a critical role to play in shaping Uganda's development agenda. USAA ensures that role is played. Our advocacy services include:
- Policy advisory – USAA advises government ministries, development partners, NGOs, and the private sector on how social and cultural factors should inform development planning, programming, and evaluation.
- Professional regulation advocacy – in collaboration with the relevant government ministry, USAA works towards formal regulation of the sociology and anthropology profession in Uganda, ensuring that employers engage qualified professionals.
- Public engagement – USAA raises the public profile of sociology and anthropology through media engagement, public relations activities, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
- Representation – USAA represents the interests of Ugandan sociologists and anthropologists in national, regional, and international forums.
Your Community. Your Association.
Networking & Community
A professional network is one of the most valuable assets a social scientist can have. USAA builds and sustains that network. We provide:
- National member network – connecting sociologists and anthropologists across Ugandan universities, research bodies, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
- International affiliations – USAA maintains connections with regional and international sociological and anthropological associations, providing members with a window to the global discipline.
- Membership directory access – verified members can access the USAA membership directory to connect with peers and collaborators.
- USAA events – regular gatherings, both formal and informal, that build community, spark collaboration, and keep members engaged.
Your Community. Your Association.
Professional Ethics Oversight
Professional integrity is foundational to the discipline. USAA's Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) ensures that standards are maintained. Our ethics services include:
- Ethical code of conduct – USAA leads the development and enforcement of the professional code of ethics for sociologists and anthropologists in Uganda.
- Education and sensitization – COPE organizes educational activities to ensure all members understand and apply ethical standards in their professional practice.
- Complaints and sanctions – COPE receives, investigates, and adjudicates complaints of ethical misconduct by USAA members, and imposes appropriate sanctions where violations are confirmed.
Member Testimonials
What Members Say About USAA
"Before joining USAA, I felt professionally isolated - doing important work but disconnected from a wider community of peers. That changed the moment I became a member. The network alone has opened doors I didn't know existed, from research collaborations to conference invitations. USAA has given my career a community."
"As someone working in the NGO space, USAA has been invaluable. It gave me the professional credibility that employers and partners recognise, and connected me to academics whose research directly informs my field work. It is the bridge between theory and practice that I always needed."
"I joined USAA fresh out of university and it immediately changed how I saw myself professionally. Having a membership certificate, access to workshops, and a network of experienced sociologists gave me confidence at a stage when I had very little. USAA invests in you before your career fully takes off."
"As a student, I wasn't sure a professional association was for me yet. But USAA welcomed me completely. The events, the mentorship connections, and simply being in spaces with working sociologists and anthropologists has shaped how I think about my future. I feel like I already belong to the profession - not just studying it."
"I have worked in social policy for over fifteen years, but joining USAA gave my expertise an official professional home. When I engage government colleagues or international partners, my USAA membership signals that I am part of a recognised, regulated profession. That recognition carries real weight."