ABOUT US
We are a non-governmental organization that champions and enables universal access to rights based SRHR information and services
OUR VISION
A Uganda where everyone’s SRHR are protected and fulfilled
OUR HISTORY
1957
The Birth of Family Planning Association of Uganda (FPAU)
The history of Family Planning in Uganda dates back to the 1950’s and is closely linked to the visit of Ms. Edith Gates – Executive Director of Pathfinder International (standing). Ms Gates was visiting sub Saharan Africa to explore the possibilities of introducing modern family planning associations in African countries. She urged progressive Asian and African women of Mothers’ Union to form an association that would advocate for Family Planning. To have the impact they wanted, the women decided to transform this club of like-minded individuals into something more. That is when they founded the FPAU in 1957 with the first clients being attended at the Agha Khan Health Centre.
1963 - 1964
Registration and opening of the first family planning clinic
In 1963, after six years in operation, FPAU was registered as an NGO under the National Council of Voluntary Social Services. The Association opened its first clinic in 1964, and the number of those seeking family planning services took a steady rise.
Photo – Demonstration of how to use a coil (IUCD)
1970 – 1979
Survival in troubled times
The 1970’s will remain etched in the minds of supporters of family planning as the most difficult period. When Idi Amin took control of the country after a military coup, he banned family planning, arguing it was against African Culture. Consequently, the government did not accept FPAU to open and run clinics in government hospitals and prohibited tutors and lecturers from giving FP lectures to medical students. It is during this troubled period that the total fertility rate and maternal mortality increased to levels that threatened attainment of safe motherhood and threw the population economic balance into disarray. As the Association struggled to remain, the reputation of the country also suffered a great deal; donors were hesitant to support FPAU programs in such hostile environment. Only IPPF stood with the Association, sustaining it during these trying times. Within the organization, the difficult times also saw it experience some of the worst managerial and administrative challenges. However, despite all this and due to the resilience of FP advocates the Association registered great success through its Advocacy efforts which led the Ministry of Health to accept child spacing as an essential component of primary healthcare. In 1975, the Ministry instructed all of its medical units to work with FPAU and in collaboration with IPPF, FPAU influenced Makerere University to start a course on population research and demography.
1980 – 1990
FPAU celebrates 25years: Growing amidst challenges
This decade began with a burst of activities and new developments that later shaped FPAU’s service delivery. By 1980, the association had up to 60 clinics. Twenty-three of these were owned and run by FPAU, while the rest being housed within government and mission health units. However, the outbreak of civil war in 1981 started eroding FPAU’s gains as some health facilities were destroyed. In 1982, FPAU celebrated its silver jubilee; this jubilant mood was amplified in 1983 when management of FPAU which had been conducted directly by IPPF was restored due to the improved managerial situation with in the Association. Still in this year, community based delivery of services, was started to take services closer. With President Yoweri Museveni taking power in 1986, FPAU continued to thrive.
1990 – 2000
Consolidation and Expansion of FPAU
FPAU’s programming and response to SRH matters was defined by the fundamental issues highlighted in the 20 year Program of Action (PoA) adopted by the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo. FPAU’s work was also influenced by the Uganda National Population Policy launched in 1995 and the new constitution promulgated in the same year. In 1997, the Association developed its first five year strategic plan with core goals; Service delivery, Advocacy for reproductive health, and Institutional capacity.
2016
Our Seven year strategic plan
In 2016, RHU developed its 7 year strategic plan. This strategic direction defines more specifically the outcomes and priorities RHU intends to achieve in the 7 years of implementation and the strategies to accomplish this.
This same year, RHU went through a rigorous accreditation process by IPPF. RHU met all 49 standards – a pre-requisite for accreditation and will be awarded a certificate in 2018. RHU is the only affiliate out of the 140 IPPF affiliate organisations across the world to have this achievement three (3) consecutive times.
2017
60 years of transforming lives
2017 was a great year in our history as we marked 60 years of existence. Many of RHU’s efforts over the years have redefined the SRHR landscape in the Uganda.