Young people from six districts in Uganda will soon have access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) services, thanks to a new Right Here, Right Now 2 (RHRN – 2) project unveiled in five districts so far.

According to Robert Ocaya, RHU – RHRN – 2 country Coordinator, the 17 billion Shillings (4,275,000 Euros) project five-year project was initiated to:

• The Right Here Right Now 2 (RHRN2) Partnership is created to allow young people in all their diversity to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in gender-just societies.
• The project seeks to unleash the power of youth, to increase public support for young people’s SRHR, to improve policies and laws, and to strengthen civil society.
• Lobbying and advocacy is the Project’s main strategy, supported by mutual capacity strengthening in communities through the district leaderships.

So far, the program is launched in the districts of Mbale, Kapchorwa, Kween, Kasese and Fortportal. The National launch is slated for Kampala where SRHR Civil Society Organizations, Dignitaries, experts, scholars, young people and the media will be invited to witness.

Jackson Chekweko, RHU Executive Director says the program will reinforce positive norms and values among people aged 10 to 24 years to claim, enjoy and stand for SRHR and gender justice in Uganda.

“it is very dangerous for young people to live in ignorance, while impregnating fellow teens and getting children before 18 years of age. In Kasese one boy during the 2020 lockdown impregnated 10 girls because the 15-year-old boy didn’t know about SRHR” Chekweko says.

He is optimistic the young people will get engaged, empowered to take charge of thgeir SRHR needs in Uganda, including the most hard to reach areas like; Maliba, Bwesumbu, Bugoye, Munkunyu, Kitswamba, Kyabarungira, Buhuhira and Kyalhumba sub-counties in the hilly Busongora north in Rwenzori sub region. Other areas in Elgon region include; Mutooto, Benet, Bufumbo, Kwosir, Jeewa, Bubyangu, Twikat, Kitawoi and Bungokho in Elgon sun region.

According to a 2020/2021 district health survey, early sex rose to 55 per cent from 29 per cent among teenagers.

Ms Priscilla Chelangat, a female youth councillor in Kween, said 21 per cent of girls were subjected to female genital mutilation before Covid-19, but the situation has escalated to 60 per cent.

Julian Ayesiga Akiiki, RDC Kabalore district says in Mukunyu Sub-county, parents accused teachers of abating child marriages.

“The situation in our villages is scaring. During evening preps, most teachers and head teachers don’t wake up to monitor and supervise the children,” Ayesiga said. Yusuf Baseka, the Kasese district health officer, acknowledged that some teachers sexually harass girls in schools and urged head teachers to be vigilant.

The RHRN – 2 will take a holistic approach to end female genital mutilation, early sex, marriages, illegal abortions and increase access to SRHR and gender justice in Uganda.

RHU – Kabalore district leadership launch Right Here Right Now at Nyaika Hotel