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RHU Trains Staff in Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) has trained staff in emergency preparedness and response planning training skills.
Dr. Peter Ibembe, RHU Director of Programs says that the three-day training program held at Fairway Hotel in Kampala aimed at preparing RHU staff with emergency preparedness tools and guidelines that are internationally recognized and can be adapted to the Ugandan local contexts like risk assessment guidelines, security programming in humanitarian settings and drafting emergency plans.
He said that as the trainees acquire the skills, the most important question posed to us is, how ready are we to respond to emergencies?
Robinah Nambooze, RHU Governance and Human Resource Manager (GHRM), says that the training is important, especially in line with building the capacity of RHU senior management staff to initiate a timely, effective and coordinated SRHR response in crisis and humanitarian situations. The training also provided a common understanding of systems, structures, resources, and human resource priorities, roles, and responsibilities in emergency response.
Annet Kyarimpa, RHU Manager Safe Motherhood says the emergency training is implemented by RHU with support from the UKaid, approaches in complex and challenging environments for sustainable sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ACCESS) project.
The ACCESS project was developed to produce a set of scalable, evidence-based, participatory approaches to support and engage marginalized and under-served populations in complex and challenging environments, to claim and access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH)information and services.
In this regard, it targets the more vulnerable and underserved populations such as urban poor, rural populations, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and young people.
Over the years, RHU has expanded its SRH service delivery network within the humanitarian setting by establishing physical facilities and outreach services in Rhino-camp in Arua district, 19 refugee settlements in Adjumani, and Parolinya refugee settlement in Obongi district. Other areas of operation or interventions are the Kyangwali refugee settlement In Kikuube district, Bidi-Bidi in Yumbe district, and Lamwo district.
Government Applauds RHU for Providing SRHR and Gender Equality Services
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) has improved in providing sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender, and equity-related services in Uganda.
The observation was made by Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health while presenting a speech on behalf of the Minister of Health at the 65th RHU annual general meeting (AGM) at Lira Margarita Palace Hotel.
He said that the Ministry of Health appreciates RHU in providing sexual reproductive and health rights services in Uganda and is a leader in providing these services, fighting gender-based violence, female genital mutilation to the vulnerable and underserved.
Statistics recorded in the year 2020 – 2021, indicate that RHU offered 7,171,805 million services to 1,093,420 clients compared to 7,721,138 services to 1513,164 clients in 2019/ 2020. The services offered include post-abortion care, adolescents SRHR services, family planning (FP), maternal health, HIV testing, sexual, gender-based violence (SGBV) counseling.
Jackson Chekweko, RHU Executive Director explained that the slight drop in services and clients in 2020, occured due to the COVID 19 pandemic effects. This he says has also accelerated teenage pregnancies and cases of SGBV in slums, refugee camps, and other hard-to-reach areas of Uganda.
Among the many issues highlighted, Chekweko called on the government of Uganda to allow for free emergency pills to be given to youths in Uganda.
“It is our wish that government makes emergency contraceptive pills free because many young people cannot afford them which limits access and this increases numbers of unintended pregnancies,” Chekweko posited.
Nathan T. Kipande, RHU National Executive Committee (NEC) Chairperson applauded the government for recognizing RHU in offering SRHR / FP services and upon its achievements despite COVID 19 and budget constraints among other issues.
“We will strengthen governance and management of RHU in the coming year to reach out to more people with SRHR / FP services,” Kipande declared.
The AGM was attended by 60 delegates from the government, NEC members, RHU staff, and the media.
Dr. Charles Olaro Director Health Services at Ministry of Health at RHU – AGM in Lira
Vast Lessons Learned at FP 2030 Regional Partners Workshop in Uganda
The FP 2030 supported by Advance Family Planning (AFP) and organized by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) registered success, however, in line with the vision of the International Conference on Population and Development to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health services (SRHR), including contraception, remains unfulfilled.
Transforming the world, we live in, the FP 2030 regional partners meeting acknowledges the continuing need for sexual reproductive health and contraception by including two goals with targets aimed at universal access to contraceptive services. Realizing these goals requires greater focus and investment, to understand and address the barriers that millions of women and girls currently at risk of an unwanted pregnancy face in accessing and using voluntary family planning (FP).
While giving the welcome remarks, Jackson Chekweko, RHU Executive Director (ED) alluded to a story of the 21-year-old, who has impregnated 9 girls in his village in Kasese district during the two years of the pandemic and lockdown. He says there should be equity measurements of family planning, status, and contraceptive use.
More to come in this story!
RHU – DFPA root for Community Mentorship to Fight Gender-Based Violence
Hoima communities have been empowered to identify and report cases of sexual and gender violence (SGBV), courtesy of Reproductive health Uganda (RHU) and the Danish Family Planning Association (DFPA).
Nancy Apiyo, RHU Gender Coordinator says that the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and gender equality (SRHRGE) project trained 1,100 persons 80% women on issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and SGBV in Hoima District. The SRHRGE project changed and relaxed acts of dislike of, contempt for, and ingrained prejudice against women.
Apiyo, says that these acts devalue women, normalize their abuse, and perpetrators claim GBV is accidental, ignores sexism, promote aggressive masculinity, and use men’s achievements to exonerate, excuse, and deny the impact of their behavior. Therefore, women have also been empowered to stand up for their rights and report GBV and SGBV issues, penetrate leadership positions and also fend for their families.
RHU Conducts Emergencies’ Self – Sustainability Planning Meeting
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) is scheduling for emergency times in case of donor funding pullouts.
Jackson Chekweko, RHU Executive Director says the planning was sparked off by the sudden closure of the ACCESS project, funded by the UKaid in 2021.
He says as projects start and end at RHU while continuing to serve the vulnerable and underserved, if RHU doesn’t plan for emergency donor exits, reduction in funding, and project closure, RHU may not sustainably operate.
Dr. Peter Ibembe, Director of Programs believes that RHU should critically analyze the programs versus organizational sustainability and adopt a deliberate business modal if we are to achieve continued service delivery for sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Peter Mark Mutebi Ag. RHU Director of Finance, advises that we need to have a mindset change to increase our revenues and thrive in the coming years.
“We need to improve on how we structure our operations to generate more or save money,” Mutebi says.
Dr. Jeff Ssebuyira Mukasa, who facilitated the planning meeting advised that the top management should look closely at small things, activities within the organization that can help RHU sustain itself.
“small changes in small areas can make big changes and impact,” Dr. Ssebuyira says.
Annet Kyarimpa, RHU Manager Safe Motherhood says that RHU requires one thing, like unique services modal, that with making it remain relevant to the vulnerable and underserved in Uganda, but also sustain itself.
“improving clinical facilities to make them more functional can improve RHUs sustainability,” Kyarimpa.
The planning meeting at Protea Skyz hotel was organized after the abrupt closure of the ACCESS project after nine months in the Kikuube district and will help RHU plan for other related future emergencies that may arise to affect the programs and organization.
RHU Business modal infographic
UNFPA Applauds RHU for Promoting Family Planning in Uganda
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) partners have resolved to prioritize family planning (FP) access areas that government can implement easily.
This was disclosed at a sustainability, readiness assessment dialogue by partners like the Ministry of Health, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and some Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) at Ridar hotel in Mukono.
Roselline Achola, UNFPA Program Analyst for FP/RHCS says the sustainability, readiness assessment dialogue aimed to bridge the gap between public and private family planning stakeholders in Uganda.
She says the private and public sector in Uganda, given good data collection, analysis and reporting can find solutions to the challenges facing access and delivery of family planning services in Uganda.
“as partners are trying to scale down funding to Uganda, evaluation of family planning and reproductive health services is a great step to take to have family planning services by ourselves,” Achola said.
Dr. Peter Ibembe, Reproductive Health Uganda Director of Programs advised meeting stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Civil Society Organizations to prioritize family planning areas that can be easily implemented and funded by partners.
“Let us prioritize key areas which can be easily implemented for better results,” Dr. Ibembe.
The sustainability, readiness assessment dialogue was attended by the Ministry of Health and other CSO’s.
Group photo : RHU-UNFPA -MOH and CSOs at Ridar Hotel in Mukono
Kyangwali Settlement Stakeholders Call for Continued SRHR Service Delivery as ACCESS Project Closes
Stakeholders in the Kyangwali refugee settlement in Kikuube district are calling for continued sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, if there is to be a tremendous reduction in unplanned births, maternal deaths, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. In 2021, Reproductive Health Uganda’s (RHU) ACCESS, a project funded by the United Kingdom government (UKaid) was launched in the Kikuube district to accelerate the acquisition of enhanced and integrated SRHR and family planning services among the refugees and host communities in Kyangwali refugee settlement.
According to Dr. Peter Ibembe, RHU Director of Programs, the project focused on strengthening public systems to integrate and adopt SRHR services through training village health teams (VHTs), peer educators to provide home care.
The ACCESS project was also launched to co-produce solutions that improve preparedness efforts, response, and recovery efforts and that tackle urgent and sensitive SRHR issues.
The ACCESS project was reduced to nine months from three years after @UKaid called off funding its implementation.
This stunned RHU the ACCESS project implementers and stakeholders like United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Office the Prime Minister (OPM), Medical Teams International (MTI), Kikuube district local government, and Spice FM.
Kyangwali refugee settlement was selected to benefit from the project because:
- more than 30 women were dying each month from birth-related complications
- 600 babies are body every month
- The host communities and 130,000 refugees are underserved with family planning and other SRHR services
- High cases of teenage pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence
- High HIV/ AIDS prevalence and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
However, within nine months of operation, 8000 people have benefited from free SRHR services, 60 VHT’s trained, and 20 health care providers. The project also provided bicycles to VHT’s, sanitation equipment and conducted outreaches at all health Centers in the Kikuube district.
However, as the project winds up in the district, stakeholders argue that the SRHR services offered and ACCESS project gains must be sustained.
Nicholas Kwikiriza, Kikuube district health officer says without the RHU – ACCESS project, maternal health challenges, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence may increase. He calls on the OPM, UNHCR, and MTI to continue supporting the RHU – ACCESS project.
“the UNHCR, MTI, and OPM need to come out bravely to support RHU – ACCESS project to continue because of the demand for SRHR services and family planning created by the RHU – ACCESS project,” Kwikiriza said.
Robert Musiime, HIV/AIDS Coordinator at MTI says the challenges are still available that need the RHU – ACCESS project needs to continue.
John Bosco Kyaligonza, Kyangwali refugee settlement Commandant says such a very crucial project must be supported by another funder to maintain and increase SRHR services in the settlement.
Dr. Ibembe, however, says RHU is here to stay and welcome other funders to come on board after the ACCESS project closed its operations.
RHU – ACCESS project stakeholders from Kyangwali refugee settlement in Kikuube district
RHU – DFPA partnership improves the working environment in Ugandan companies
Ugandan companies are benefiting from a partnership with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) aimed at improving their working environment.
According to Jubilee Golden Zacharia, RHU in charge Hoima branch the four-year project is implemented by the RHU in conjunction with the Danish Family Planning Association (DFPA), to integrate sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality in the world of work.
In Hoima, Bapeneco, Bugambe Tea factory, Bwendero brick factory, Kitara Civil Society Organisations Network (KCSON), Hoima Catholic diocese, Bunyoro Albertine Network for Environmental Conservation, and Hoima district local government.
Geoffrey Oguttu, the Project Officer at RHU headquarters says more companies in Kampala metropolitan like Mairye estates, Wagagai flowers, Safe boda, Dun flowers, and Kasaku tea cooperation have also been among the beneficiaries.
During the stakeholder’s dinner in Hoima representatives of the companies explained what they have benefited from the RHU – DFPA funded project since 2018.
Ronald Byaruhanga, a personnel officer with Bugambe tea estates says several work policies were awakened through the RHU – DFPA project.
“policies that were shelved like the Operation, Safety and Health, Prevention of sexual harassment, Prevention of HIV – AIDS among others are now operational,” Byaruhanga said.
Justine Kushemererwa, an Administrative Secretary at Butema Brick factory disclosed that since the RHU – DFPA funded project started, workers know their sexual and reproductive rights and can ably report and share openly cases of infringement.
“even men come out to report cases where the women have harassed them at work, either by speech dressing and other ways of communication,” Kushemererwa said.
Priscilla Tusiime, who works with Bunyoro Albertine Network for Environmental Conservation,
learned how to raise her voice as a champion for SRHR on various media platforms, but also among workers groups in the Bunyoro region.
Dr. Peter Ibembe, RHU Director of Programs in his address to the congregants highlighted the importance of workers becoming more productive when given a conducive environment with SRHR abuses.
“encourage staffs to share experiences, to achieve the dignity of all genders at work by accessing sexual reproductive and health rights,” Dr. Ibembe said.
Ronald Kirungi Kadiri, Hoima district LCV appreciated RHU for sensitizing the masses about their sexual reproductive and health rights, and this he says, will help in reducing the increasing population which has raised the pressure on land in Hoima district.
Group Photo : Stakeholder’s dinner in Hoima comprising of representatives of the companies, RHU top management, Civil Society Organizations and Hoima district local government at Hoima Buffalo Hotel.
Lango Cultural Leader Signs 29 Resolutions to Achieve Demographic Dividends
His Highness the Won Nyaci me Lango Yossam Odur Ebii, has appended his signature to 29 resolutions made by the Lango Cultural foundation, and geared towards achieving the demographic dividends.
“I have been saddened by the situation in my Kingdom. Yesterday a man was brought to me, he had slept with the daughter”- His highness the Won Nyaci me Lango, Yossam Odur Ebii.
He says that from this day going forward! WORD should be spread, people should have manageable children. Children they can take care of in Lango sub region and Uganda.
Jackson Chekweko, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) Executive Director has appreciated the commitment from Lango Cultural foundation and applauded the its leadership for the work done towards promoting family planning. He howver called for immediate action to end teenage pregnancies that are higher than the national average of 25% in most parts of Lango sub region.
“1 out 3 young girls in Lango is either pregnant or has had a child. But how many of these pregnancies end up in safe delivery? Or even unsafe abortions and how many have led to death? WE NEED TO ACT NOW” says Chekweko.
In September 2020, cultural leaders from the Lango Kingdom in northern Uganda for the first time signed a joint/group resolution to promote family planning. The resolution, which impacts all eight districts in the Lango region, will focus on educating communities about family planning and integrating family planning into the kingdom’s budget and development plan. Lango Kingdom’s cultural leaders are custodians of local traditions and important influencers of community values and health seeking behaviors.
Unmet need for family planning in the Lango region is 27.4% among married women and girls. Cultural preferences for large families and substantial dowries for young brides have traditionally hampered family planning use. This has contributed to a teen pregnancy rate of 35.2% in the region.
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) with support from Advance Family Planning has supported family planning advocacy in the Lira district of Lango since 2017.
In 2019, during a meeting with the Lira district advocacy working group, a local district speaker identified the challenge of cultural leaders speaking negatively about family planning within the community. In August 2020, the National Population Council (NPC), a national governing body, held a meeting in Lira with representatives of the Lango Cultural Foundation, the kingdom’s governing body, on how to engage with cultural leaders to promote family planning. They identified the council of clan chiefs, overseen by the paramount chief, as key to their advocacy efforts.
The district working group brought together clan leaders in September 2020 to build consensus on the need to prioritize and promote family planning. Speakers from RHU; UNFPA; the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; NPC; and the Lira district health officer shared compelling narratives and statistics highlighting the importance of family planning to support economic development and harness the demographic divided.
His Highness the Won Nyaci me Lango Yossam Odur Ebii, appending his signature
Residents Throng Reproductive Health Uganda SRHR Camp in Kampala
11 specialized health experts from the Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) and Kitebi health Centre III are performing a three day sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) camp in Kampala.
Access to integrated SRHR services and specialized surgical care remain a critical problem in Kampala, as it struggles to cope with stereotypes, misinformation and disinformation about family planning and SRHR services in general.
Since the specialized SRHR health workers arrived at Kitebi health Centre III on Monday 20, 2021 hundreds of patients, many of them visibly sick continue to crowd around tables set by the RHU and Kitebi health Centre III health workers to get tested for HIV, screened for cancer, treated and operated upon for permanent family planning methods at the free SRHR camp and general treatment.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is supporting the specialized SRHR health workers and volunteers undertaking the medical camp with organization, logistics, family planning commodities and medical equipment. Henry Wasswa, the Coordinator of the SRHR camp, says they have brought in enough volunteers, medical equipment and personnel to offer free quality medical services at Kitebi health Centre III to vulnerable communities in great need.
“The integrated sexual reproductive health and rights camp is organized to cater for the vulnerable people in Kampala, who need but are under served with family planning, cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screening and HIV testing” Wasswa.
Coster Namukwaya, in – charge family planning department at Kitebi Health Centre III is delighted to have the RHU team supported by UNFPA to build the capacities of the health service providers, while offered free integrated SRHR services to the vulnerable in Kampala.
“We are grateful as health care providers at Kitebi health Centre III to acquire skills from RHU experts. Some of our health care providers are new and lack the skills to carry out most of the long-term family planning methods” Namukwaya said.
The SRHR camp has witnessed young people, people with disabilities and vulnerable women embrace free integrated SRHR services.
SRHR Camp beneficiary : Nalutaaya Fatiya at Kitebi Health Centre III free SRHR Camp