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Teenage Mothers Struggle for a Living during COVID 19 lockdown in Uganda
Brenda Wanichan, 12 from Agwata village in Dokolo district gave birth during the lockdown at 11 years through caesarean section, lives in discomfort.
Brenda Wanichan, 12 from Agwata village in Dokolo district gave birth during the lockdown at 11 years through caesarean section, lives in discomfort. She is forced to plough the land to earn a living against the doctor’s advice to provide for her child. Thus, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) sought to help raise voices of teenage girls, young women, youth and children.
Thus, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) sought to help raise voices of teenage girls, young women, youth and children for their leaders to put them at the centre of new development agenda that would see such injustices as teenage pregnancy, school drop out and abuse of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) come to an end.
With less than one month to end the 42 days lockdown, it is crucial that the upcoming Sustainable Development issues in Uganda address the needs of teenagers and youth.
Click here : Teen Mothers Struggle for a Living during COVID 19 lockdown in Uganda
Youth Envoys Trained to Promote Family Planning During COVID 19 Pandemic
Family planning (FP), initiatives among youths in Uganda, will encourage wider contraceptive use with young people acting as “envoys” for reproductive health and rights during the 42 days lockdown.
Leaders Fear Less Girls May Return to School after 42 Days Lockdown
Against this background, RHU is partnering with the district administration to implement the Advanced Family Planning (AFP) Initiative, to curb Violence against Women and Girls and promoting Family Planning in the district.
Leaders Fear Less Girls May Return to School after Lockdown (more…)
ACCESS Project Offers Free Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
ACCESS Project Offers Free Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Several vulnerable and underserved people have benefited from the project in the districts of Kikuube and Hoima. Reproductive Health Uganda runs the project.
Family Planning Use on the Increase in Lango Sub Region
Reproductive Health Uganda, links the increase in use of long-term Family Planning methods to campaigns done by Advanced Family Planning Initiative with stakeholders.
INVITATION OF QUOTATION FOR SALES BIDS
Reproductive Health Uganda(RHU) a Not for Profit NGO is selling off One Million Two Hundred Thousand vials of water for injection (Otsuka BP 10ML Vial) all in one lot. RHU, therefore, is seeking for bidders interested in purchasing the said water for injection. Interested bidders are requested to submit their bids containing their offer price per vial including documentary evidence showing that the interested bidder is authorized by NDA to deal in pharmaceuticals. The bids can be emailed to rhu@rhu.or.ug. The bid should not be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. of Tuesday 28th September, 2021.
Click links below to download related documents
Water for sale and date of expiry
RHU reserves the right to award or not to award a tender to any of the parties that participate in this call for bids.
***Attached picture is only for advertising purposes and not necessarily what is being sold off.
MAJOR WIN: HOIMA DISTRICT GAZZETS 19TH NOVEMBER AS MEN’S DAY
HOIMA DISTRICT GAZZETS 19TH NOVEMBER AS MEN’S DAY
Hoima has become the first district in Uganda to set aside a special day to celebrate MEN. The motion was moved in the council sitting yesterday, approved and confirmed today during the third (3rd ) Men’s day celebration in Hoima.
The council will every year plan and set aside a special budget to celebrate the Men’s day. The motion was officially submitted by the Hon. Bermandette Plan, the secretary social Services -Hoima district and was unanimously seconded.
The day will be celebrated every year to;
- Recognise and promote man’s involvement in achieving gender equality and SRHR
- Promote positive health seeking behaviour among men
- Give a chance to discuss issues affecting men
- Encourage gender equality
- A day to put a focus to discrimination
“This achievement is important because men are key players in attaining gender equality” Said Nancy Apio, the Gender coordinator. “It is not just a women’s conversation and it helps men to attain positive masculinity and break the male dominance and associated violence” she added.
RHU’s Contribution:
RHU has been mobilising men in communities to become role models and the same champions later pushed to have this day gazetted. We have also been carrying out capacity building for men and women on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Hoima District
We are excited about the evident contribution in empowering men and women in the communities to demand, advocate and enjoy their rights and promote gender equality.
Special appreciation to the Danish Family Planning Association, the International Planned Parenthood Federation and other partners for their contribution on empowering communities
#IUDUg20 is HERE!!!! Are you Ready>?
Are you ready for the #IUDUg20???
Theme
“COVID-19 and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Higher Learning Institutions Navigating Uncertainties”.
ABOUT THE IUD
Since 2014, Reproductive Health Uganda, in conjunction with Makerere University and State and Non state actors organizes the Inter University Dialogue on Sexuality. This dialogue and dissenting platform sponsors policy dialogue between decision makers and Young people in higher institutions of learning directly in a renewed call to action to accelerate efforts to promote adolescent health programing in learning institutions. Relatedly , it aspires to promote Sexual health as a fundamental human right to all people’s including Young People. 2,000 participants virtually and 50 participants physically reached from across Higher institutions of learning in Uganda including Students, top academics, health professionals and media.
Context
Notably ,Limited access to SRHR services and information during COVID-19 is ,and will continue to fuel uncertainties, uninformed sexual decisions and choices, increasing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions putting several lives of many young people in higher learning institutions at risk. This pandemic is presenting complete lockdown of both public and private learning institutions increasing inequality and vulnerabilities of the poor especially young people. It continues to illuminate the several gaps that exist in policies, service provision, and information access, especially for several young people in higher learning institutions since condoms, contraceptive pills and many SRH commodities and services have been deemed non-essential ,therefore became a luxury.
Evidently, Uganda institutions of higher learning from several studies indicating that University Students aged 18-24 years face many sexual and reproductive health challenges, spiritual and emotional, conflicting cultural norms and practices as well as modernization challenges.
According to UNESCO’s Situational analysis report on sexuality education and ASRH in universities and Tertiary institutions (2018), overall 69% of university students are sexually active with a higher proportion among males. 64% of university students had their first sexual encounter at the age of 18-24 years, ideally the average period of a university education. Additionally, there is inadequate information on the level of access to sexuality education and SRH services by University students in Uganda.
Relatedly ,Ugandan Government has made tremendous effort to date and has put in place several policy provisions as well as actions to address adolescent health concerns including; Uganda National Youth Policy, 2016, The National Strategy to end child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy, ( 2014/2015 – 2019/2020), Adolescent Health Policy Guidelines and Service Standards (Third Edition, 2011), National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (2015/2016- 2019/2020), Presidential Fast Track Initiative on Ending HIV/AIDS by 2030, One dollar initiative Uganda
However Government policy aspirations remain unachieved, with several adolescent health related policies and guidelines remaining in draft, contested, unfunded and un operational for years. For example, The National Framework on Sexuality Education in Uganda (2018-2023)-currently contested and not operational. The National school Health Policy-in draft since 2001-unfunded, not operational. The National Health Policy for Adolescents, 2018 currently in draft, contested.
Aspirations
- To continue provide an open Safe space where young people critically voice, reflect and share their lived realities with key stakeholders on SRHR services access during COVID-19 .
Objectives
- To examine challenges and strategic way forward in addressing Sexual Health uncertainties within Uganda’s higher institutions of learning.
- To reflect on emerging evidence for SRHR advocacy issues to the COVID-19 pandemic responses.
- To enable actors at various levels to understand and commit to their roles/responsibilities in promoting SRHR for better health outcomes.
Outcomes
- A more empowered group of young people with increased knowledge, skills and tools to act and influence favorable policies on SRHR in Uganda
- Enhanced commitment and momentum for accelerated action. together beyond the dialogue.
- Expansion of key partnerships to deliver accelerated action.
- An electronic record of the keynote addresses and panel discussions, and the accelerated action plans developed and agreed to within the dialogue contributed to by all those who join in.
Methodology
- Shared Self-recorded voices of diverse University students on SRHR Challenges during COVID19
- Running real time online engagement to inform the discussions for those participants that will not be invited to physically attend.
- Key Speeches from Key note speaker and Guest of Honor
- Panel /Open discussions and paper presentations Edutainment
- Audio-Visual live TV streaming /#IUDUg19Live (Live broadcasts on RHRN and RHU social media Platforms)
- Exhibition booth and brand promotion
- Press briefing with various media houses
#IUDUg20 will take place both Virtually and Physical on Saturday November 21st, 2020, from 10:00am – 1:00pm (EAT) at the Auditorium, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Makerere University Please register early and plan to join in the dialogue on time on https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d87tXnwbQuqYJA4VGKNGAw .More details and program will be sent later, Contact ; Alex Craig Kiwanuka, Youth Officer-RHU, Dialogue Coordinator ,+256755488988, ackiwanuka@rhu.or.ug
RHU SCOOPS BIG AT THE PRESTIGIOUS 2020 FIRE AWARDS
RHU SCOOPS BIG AT THE PRESTIGIOUS 2020 FIRE AWARDS
Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) was last evening crowned champions (NGO category) of the prestigious, 2020 Integrated Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards, held on Wednesday November 04th/2020 at Skyz Hotel, Naguru.
Unlike the previous editions, this year’s awards were held virtually in light of the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
Wilberforce Ojiambo, the director of finance at RHU attributes this achievement to team work and coordination at RHU. RHU has been one of the top contenders of this award in the previous years, taking lead for now the record 3rd time.
“Over time, we have continuously improved the quality of our reporting and built on the comments from the organizers to make things better. So much so that every other subsequent report is better than the previous ones in one aspect or the other” added Ojiambo.
According ICPAU our report was considered great based on the following parameters.
o Effective communication and presentation of the program and financial information
o Excellent presentation and outlook of the report including great graphics.
o Innovations including developing and sustaining growth in grant income, local income and institutional reserves.
o Ability to provide services to the locals including the most vulnerable members of the community.
o Ability to attract new development partners and also increase the asset base.
o Comprehensiveness including our ability to report on all functional aspects and departments of the institution.
Wilberforce stated that the award was of great importance and would the institution to:
- Gain confidence from the external audit teams
- Motivation for the institution to settle for clean and unqualified audits
- Work as a drive for continuous improvement in general reporting
- Greatly enhance RHU’s status during due diligence processes by new partners aspiring to work with us.
- Provided confidence for participation in related awards such as the Finance Team of the year, where we emerged runners up last year.
“We are indeed motivated and encouraged by these results and do promise to continue delivering on the same.” Says Wilberforce
The RHU finance team receiving the award
President of ICPAU, Mr.Fredrick Wanumeli thanked the participants and the organisations that submitted their annual reports for evaluation,inspite of the COVID-19 challenges.
“Integrated reporting helps to increase the preparedness of organisations to access long term financing through the capital markets, by providing the appropriate disclosures as well as evidence of prudent corporate governance, which are key in attracting investors”
“It shows commitment to upholding standards of financial reporting, an indicator of strong organisational culture”-Wanumeli commended.
The awards, which are organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) strive to uplift the quality of financial and business reporting in Uganda.
The Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards is an annual event organized by ICPAU in partnership with CMA, USE). The Awards, were running for the tenth time in this year 2020.
The Awards are open to all organisations/ entities that prepare an annual report: financial institutions, trading companies, government departments and agencies, and not-for-profit bodies including charities. The overall aim of the Awards is to enhance the quality of financial and business reporting in Uganda by encouraging the implementation of financial reporting standards as well as other best practices in reporting. The annual event contributes to ongoing improvement in the quality of reporting.
Here are some of the other winners of the night
Outstanding financial achievement, Non-for-Profit Organisations- Reproductive Health Uganda
Special Awards 1: Reporting under IPSAS – SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
Special Awards 2: Reporting under the IFRS for SMEs – Child’s i Foundation
Best Listed Entity- Stanbic Uganda Holdings Ltd.
Commercial Banks Category – Stanbic Uganda.
Microfinance Deposit-Taking Institutions (MDIs) Category – FINCA_Uganda.
Insurance Companies- liberty Uganda.
Public Sector – NSSF
Consumer and Industrial; Category A – UMEME Ltd..
Regulatory Bodies and Associations – Bank of Uganda.
Cooperatives category- Y-Save MultiPurpose Cooperative Society Ltd.
Retirement Benefits Schemes FiRe Award- Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme.
Getting Cultural leaders on Board
At Reproductive Health Uganda, we strongly believe that especially local leaders are pivotal and key in promoting family planning in their communities. We have been engaging the different leaders in the communities around Uganda, see article from one of the major ones from Lango culture.
See attached excerpt from the biggest news paper in Uganda
