Success Stories - Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum

TIME TO HEAL, TIME TO PLAN: ACHOM’S CHOICE AFTER TWO DIFFICULT BIRTHS

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 10:41:01 +0000

TIME TO HEAL, TIME TO PLAN: ACHOM’S CHOICE AFTER TWO DIFFICULT BIRTHS

At 21, Achom Dinah is a mother of two. Her youngest child is about a year old. After two pregnancies that ended in Caesarean sections, she is thinking carefully about when she wants to have another child

For Achom, family planning is no longer just about preventing pregnancy. It is about giving her body time to heal, allowing her children to grow, and making decisions about her family with more information and intention. Her journey to that decision began years earlier, when she was still a schoolgirl.

Achom was 18 and in primary school when she became pregnant with her first child. At the time, she had limited access to sexual and reproductive health information. After becoming pregnant, she left her parents’ home and began living with her partner.

Achom’s first pregnancy was complicated. She developed high blood pressure and was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. She delivered through a Caesarean section. Two years later, she became pregnant again. Her second child was also delivered through a Caesarean section because of the previous scar.

By 21, Achom had gone through two pregnancies and two operations. The experiences made her start thinking about her health and giving herself more time before another pregnancy. On 15 September 2026, Achom attended an outreach at St. Luke Church of Uganda in Amuen Village, Kolir Sub-county, Budaka District.

The 2-day outreach was conducted under the Inclusive and Equitable Health Care Services (IEHS) Project, funded by German Doctors and implemented by the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF). The project brings essential health information and services closer to communities, including family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, immunisation, laboratory services, medical consultations, and ultrasound services.

During this outreach period, 10 mothers were reached with family planning information and 7 women accessed contraceptives through IEHS-supported outreaches in Bukedea.

At the outreach, Achom attended a health education session that covered family planning. For her, it came at an important time.

She had already been thinking about spacing her children and letting her body recover, but the information helped her understand her options. She then received individual family planning counselling from Aguto Helen, a midwife from Kolir Health Centre III.

“I think the three-year implant will give me enough time for my body to heal and for my child to grow,” Achom said.

After counselling, Achom chose Implanon NXT, a three-year contraceptive implant inserted under the skin of the upper arm. She was then linked to Kolir Health Centre III for follow-up, including support should she have any concerns and for eventual removal or replacement.

For Achom, family planning means more than deciding whether to have another child.

“For me, family planning means planning better for my children and giving birth when I really want to, not just giving birth for the sake of it.”

For Aguto, Achom’s experience shows why family planning information needs to reach women where they are

“Giving mothers information about family planning helps them make informed choices. Some mothers want to use these methods, but because they do not have enough information, they may shy away from them,” Aguto said.

Today, Achom is a stay-at-home mother who also farms to help provide food for her family. She hopes to space her children so she can plan better for their needs.

Education is particularly important to her. She wants her children to receive the education she was unable to continue, and hopes this will give them a better future.

Achom does not want to keep what she has learnt to herself.

“I want the young mothers to know about family planning and the services that are available to them. If they need these services, they should not be afraid to seek them.”

As we mark World Contraception Day on 26 September, Achom’s story is a reminder that when young mothers have access to accurate information, counselling, and services within their communities, they can make informed choices about their health and their future

The outreach did not erase the challenges she has experienced. But it gave her information at a moment when she needed it. It allowed her to choose.

And for Achom, that choice means time to heal, time for her child to grow, and time to plan the future she wants for her family.

The post TIME TO HEAL, TIME TO PLAN: ACHOM’S CHOICE AFTER TWO DIFFICULT BIRTHS first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

“IF I HAD NOT GONE FOR THE OUTREACH, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN”. SOPHIE’S JOURNEY FROM TEENAGE MOTHERHOOD TO SAFE DELIVERY.

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:45:56 +0000

“IF I HAD NOT GONE FOR THE OUTREACH, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN”.

SOPHIE’S JOURNEY FROM TEENAGE MOTHERHOOD TO SAFE DELIVERY.

At 13, Mugala Sophie was in Primary Six at Kaderuna Primary School in Kaderuna sub-county when her brother’s daughter became unwell.

The child felt feverish, and Sophie was sent to a nearby clinic to find out what was wrong.

She left home expecting to return after the child had been attended to.

Instead, on the way, she met a boy who convinced her to leave with him.

She followed him to his home and returned late that evening. Her parents were angry. They asked where she had been and told her to go back to where she had come from.

Sophie left home and went to stay with Nwara Wilson, the boy she had been seeing in Kabuna sub-county. She still thought about school and how she could continue her education while staying at his home.

Then COVID-19 came.

Schools closed, and Sophie never returned to Kaderuna Primary School. She remained at Nwara’s home, and the life she had imagined as a schoolgirl gradually gave way to a different one.

Nwara depended on casual work digging in people’s gardens. There was no regular income, and whatever he earned had to meet the needs of the young household.

At 14, Sophie became pregnant with her first child.

Her husband accompanied her to Budaka Health Centre IV for antenatal care. They were counselled together, tested for HIV, and taught about family planning, maternal health, and child nutrition.

For Sophie, having her husband by her side made her first pregnancy a shared experience.

“During my first pregnancy, my husband escorted me to the health facility. They talked to both of us and checked our HIV status. They also taught us about family planning and how to take care of the baby.”

The lessons gave her information, but life at home presented another reality.

There was little money.

As her first pregnancy approached its end, Nwara found casual work digging for someone. He earned a small amount of money and used it to buy clothes and essentials the baby would need.

“It was not much, but that is what he could afford,” Sophie says.

She then gave birth to a baby girl, her first child

She was now a young mother, trying to raise a child in a household where income depended on whether Nwara could find work.

When the child became sick, getting care was not always straightforward.

The health facility was far from home. Going there required money. Sometimes the family made the journey only to find the medicine they needed unavailable.

Sophie remembers what happened when that occurred.

“Sometimes we would go to the health facility, and they would write for us to go and buy the medicine because it was not there. If we had money, we would buy it. But when there was no money, it became difficult,” she says

So, some illnesses were watched at home. Sometimes the family used local remedies. And when they had money, they sometimes went directly to a nearby pharmacy rather than travelling to a health facility only to be referred elsewhere to buy medicine.

Then Sophie became pregnant again at 16

She gave birth to her second child, but the baby survived for only two weeks.

Sophie remembers that something had changed in the baby’s breathing.

“I remember the baby was breathing very fast, says Sophie. I wanted to take her to the health facility to find out what was causing it.”

But the health facility was far away. There was no money for transport, and Nwara did not have money to give her.

They waited, hoping the baby would improve.

Before Sophie could get the child to the health facility, the baby died.

Sophie does not know the medical cause of the death. What she remembers is the fast breathing, wanting to seek help, and being unable to get the baby to care in time.

She had lost a child.

Still, life moved on.

At 18, Sophie became pregnant again.

She continued attending antenatal care and hearing about family planning. But the information she received at the health facility existed alongside beliefs within her household that made the decision difficult.

Sophie says Nwara and members of his family did not want her to use family planning. They believed it could harm a woman’s body or cause babies to be born with big heads.

“They said that when a woman uses family planning, her ovaries can get burned, or she can give birth to children with big heads. Because of those beliefs, I did not use family planning.” Sophie recalled.

She gave birth to her third child.

Again, she had gone through pregnancy without an ultrasound.

At Budaka Health Centre IV, an ultrasound machine was available, but there had been a period when there was no trained sonographer to provide the service. Amina Nambozo, now a sonographer at the facility, had previously worked in the maternity ward before returning to school to train in sonography. She later returned to Budaka with the skills needed to provide the service.

The service had changed.

Sophie’s knowledge of the service had not.

She did not know that ultrasound scanning was now available at the health centre.

Then came her fourth pregnancy.

By the time Sophie was nine months pregnant, she was at home in Kabuna Sub-county, waiting to give birth. She had already gone through three pregnancies. She knew the experience of being pregnant. Nothing about that day told her that her baby was lying sideways.

Then a neighbour came to tell her about an outreach taking place at a nearby place.

The outreach was part of the Inclusive and Equitable Health Care Services (IEHS) Project, funded by German Doctors and implemented by the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum (UYAHF) to bring essential health information and services closer to underserved communities.

Sophie went for the outreach.

Sophie at the outreach site in Kabuna after being examined.

And for the first time in that pregnancy, she was examined using an ultrasound machine.

What she could not feel, the scan revealed.

Her baby was lying transversely.

Sophie was frightened.

But alongside the fear was another feeling: relief.

“When they told me the baby was lying the wrong way, I became scared. I kept thinking about my baby. But at the same time, I felt relieved because if I had not come for the outreach, I would never have known there was a problem.” Sophie shared.

For Amina, this is part of what makes access to ultrasound important, particularly for women who may feel well even when a pregnancy complication is developing.

“Many mothers come to these outreaches because they feel healthy. But not every pregnancy complication causes pain or obvious signs. Sometimes one scan is all it takes to detect a life-threatening condition early enough for us to act.” Amina explained.

Sophie was referred to Budaka Health Centre IV.

But this referral was not simply a piece of paper handed to her.

She was connected to VHT Naaya Geoffrey, who made an appointment with her and accompanied her to the health facility.

Naaya helped Sophie navigate the next step.

Naaya believes that a referral only matters if it leads to care. “Our work doesn’t stop after making a referral. We continue following up because we want every mother to reach the health facility and receive the care she needs. That’s how we help prevent emergencies.” He spoke

Sophie reached Budaka Health Centre IV.

She received care and delivered through a Caesarean section.

The delivery was successful.

She gave birth to a daughter.

But Naaya’s involvement did not end when Sophie left the health facility.

He continued to check on Sophie and the baby, following up to see how they were doing and whether there was anything they needed.

For Sophie, this pregnancy had unfolded differently.

There had been someone who helped identify the danger.

There had been someone to connect her to the health facility.

There had been someone to walk with her.

And there had been someone who returned afterwards to see how she and her baby were doing.

Yet the safe arrival of her daughter did not erase the challenges waiting for Sophie at home.

Her firstborn daughter is currently out of school because of school fees. She had been staying with her sister-in-law and attending school, but when the family could no longer meet the cost, she was sent back to Sophie.

Now she stays at home.

For Sophie, the situation carries a painful familiarity. Her own education ended when she was still a young girl.

She knows what it means for a child’s future to be interrupted by circumstances beyond the child’s control.

Her brother-in-law, Nalenya David, says poverty remains one of the biggest challenges facing families in the community.

For Nalenya David, the challenges go beyond access to healthcare; they are closely tied to the economic realities facing families in Budaka. “The biggest challenge we face around Budaka is lack of jobs. We only have to rely on casual labour to support ourselves and our families. When a mother gives birth, like in Sophie’s case, we don’t have much we can support her with. We only hope for the best. We try to walk them to the health facilities, but it’s only when they have the energy to reach there. But if we get something small, then we support them with transport to and back.”

The reality is not simply that Sophie lacked information.

She had been taught about nutrition during antenatal care.

She had been taught about family planning.

She had been taught about caring for her children.

But information exists within the circumstances in which people live.

A mother may know that she needs nutritious food while living in a household where food choices are shaped by poverty.

She may know that a sick child needs medical attention while lacking money for transport.

She may know where the health facility is while knowing from previous experience that medicine may not be available when she gets there.

And she may attend antenatal care without knowing that a service she once could not access has become available.

Sophie’s fourth pregnancy brought one of those changes into view.

A neighbour told her about an outreach.

She went.

The ultrasound revealed a problem she could not see.

The referral connected her to Budaka Health Centre IV.

Naaya walked with her.

She received the care she needed.

And her daughter was born safely.

For Sophie, the significance of that moment is perhaps best captured in the words she used to describe what might have happened if she had stayed home:

“If I had not come for the outreach, I would never have known there was a problem.”

Today, Sophie is still raising her children in difficult circumstances. Her firstborn daughter is out of school because of fees. The family continues to depend heavily on casual work. The memory of the child she lost remains part of her story.

The outreach did not solve all of those problems.

But it changed one critical moment.

It turned something invisible into something that could be acted upon.

And it showed what can happen when a health service reaches a woman where she is, when a referral is followed through, and when community health workers remain connected to her beyond the first encounter.

Sophie’s life has taken a path very different from the one she might have imagined as a Primary Six pupil.

She became a mother while still young. She experienced loss. She has navigated poverty, limited choices, and difficult access to healthcare.

But she still has hopes for her children.

She wants them to be healthy.

She wants them to go to school.

She wants to provide for them.

And, perhaps most importantly, she wants them to have opportunities she did not have.

Her story is not one of a problem that has been completely solved.

It is a story of what becomes possible when, at one critical moment, a woman can see the danger, reach the care she needs, and have someone walk with her through it.

Sophie with her newborn daughter and firstborn child at their home in Kabuna.

The post “IF I HAD NOT GONE FOR THE OUTREACH, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN”. SOPHIE’S JOURNEY FROM TEENAGE MOTHERHOOD TO SAFE DELIVERY. first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

“I FELT LIKE I HAD BECOME A BURDEN TO MY PARENTS”: HOW ONE YOUNG FATHER REBUILT HIS FUTURE THROUGH RESPONSIBILITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:38:58 +0000

“I Felt Like I Had Become a Burden to My Parents”: How One Young Father Rebuilt His Future Through Responsibility, Knowledge and Support

Vincent operating a microscope during his internship at Nagwere Health Centre III.

At just 18 years old, Vincent thought his future had come to an end.

A Senior Four student at Hillview

College Burangira, he was like many adolescents navigating friendships, relationships, and the pressures of growing up. Looking back today, Vincent believes one of the biggest challenges he faced was a lack of adequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, coupled with the influence of peer pressure.

“One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is not to be influenced by peer groups and to stay focused on education,” he reflects.

While still in school, Vincent and a fellow student discovered they were expecting a baby. The news came with consequences neither of them had imagined.

When the school learnt about the pregnancy, both students were expelled.

“I felt like I had become a burden to my parents,” Vincent recalls.

The uncertainty was overwhelming. His education had been interrupted; he was about to become a father, and he had no idea what the future would look like.

But instead of rejecting him, both families chose to put the well-being of the young parents and their unborn child first.

Vincent’s family supported the young mother throughout her pregnancy, ensuring she attended antenatal care and received the care she needed until she safely delivered their daughter at Butebo Health Centre IV. After childbirth, both families continued caring for the baby while allowing the young parents to continue their education.

When his daughter was born, the reality of fatherhood finally settled in.

“When my daughter was born, I felt it was a very big responsibility to handle,” Vincent says.

Although he wanted to do the right thing, he admits he was still learning what it meant to be a father. His parents became his greatest source of support, helping care for his daughter while guiding him through one of the most difficult periods of his life.

But they did more than help him become a father.

They helped him remain a student.

“My parents told me they were taking me back to school,” Vincent remembers. “That encouraged me.”

Their decision became the turning point in his life.

Vincent enrolled at Rubongi Army Secondary School in Tororo, where he completed his Senior Four education before joining Albert Cook Institute to pursue a Certificate in Medical Laboratory Assistance.

Today, at 21 years old, Vincent is completing his internship at Nagwere Health Centre III, determined to build a better future for himself and his daughter.

The internship gives him valuable hands-on experience, but no salary.

“Being an intern, you don’t earn anything. You do it to gain the skills you need for your future.”

To support himself while pursuing his internship, Vincent spends his mornings and early afternoons at the health facility. When his internship duties end, he joins an Airtel SIM card registration team, where he earns a small commission based on the number of SIM cards he registers.

It is a modest income, but it enables him to contribute towards his daughter’s needs while continuing to build his future.

“Whenever I earned something, I would buy basic things like sugar, soap, clothes, and whatever I could afford for my daughter.”

It was during this period that another opportunity came his way.

Vincent spending time with his daughter at home in Nagwere.

Nandutu Jacinta, a Village Health Team (VHT) member, invited him to attend the Young Mothers’ and Fathers’ Forum under the Inclusive and Equitable Health Services (IEHS) Project, implemented by the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum (UYAHF) with support from German Doctors.

“I was actually preparing to go back to school,” Vincent recalls. “But after the VHT explained what the forum was about, I decided to stay and attend.”

That decision introduced him to knowledge he wishes he had received years earlier.

Through the Young Mothers and Fathers Forum, Vincent joined other young mothers and fathers in discussions on sexual and reproductive health, responsible parenthood, financial literacy, saving, and livelihood development.

For Vincent, the sessions did more than provide information.

They helped him understand responsible fatherhood, make informed decisions about his future, and appreciate the value of planning.

“I learnt things I wish I had known when I was still in school,” he says.

The forum also introduced members to community savings and loan groups, where they contributed small weekly savings and could later borrow to invest in income-generating activities.

Vincent borrowed UGX 200,000 from the group’s savings.

Rather than spending it on immediate needs, he hired a small piece of land and planted cassava.

“I chose cassava because it has commercial value. When it is ready, I can sell it and earn an income.”

Repaying the loan required discipline.

Without a salary, Vincent relied on the modest income he earned from registering Airtel SIM cards. Every month, he set aside approximately UGX 37,000 to repay the loan.

Even while repaying the loan, he never abandoned the habit of saving.

“During the time I was paying back my loan, I continued saving at least UGX 2,000 every week. After clearing the loan, I increased my weekly savings to UGX 3,000 because I know saving helps me prepare for future opportunities.”

Despite balancing an unpaid internship, loan repayments, weekly savings, and casual work, Vincent remained committed to supporting his daughter whenever he could.

“I couldn’t forget that I was already a father.”

Today, his cassava garden continues to grow, and he hopes the harvest will finance the next chapter of his journey.

His dream is to return to school and qualify as a Medical Laboratory Technician.

“I want to continue studying so I can become a laboratory technician. I want to support my daughter, help my younger siblings continue their education, and reduce the burden on my parents. They stood by me when I needed them most. Now I want to stand by them.”

When asked what he hopes his daughter will one day say about him, Vincent pauses before answering.

“I hope she will say that I was resilient.”

At just 21 years old, Vincent knows his journey is far from over.

The mistakes he made as a teenager changed the course of his life, but they did not define it. With the support of his family, a second chance at education, and the knowledge and practical skills gained through the Young Mothers and Fathers Forum, he has rebuilt his confidence, embraced responsible fatherhood, and begun creating opportunities for himself and his daughter.

His story reminds us that adolescent pregnancy affects not only young mothers but young fathers as well. When young men are equipped with accurate sexual and reproductive health information, supported to make responsible decisions, and empowered with practical life and financial skills, they are better able to care for their children, pursue their aspirations, and contribute positively to their families and communities.

The post “I FELT LIKE I HAD BECOME A BURDEN TO MY PARENTS”: HOW ONE YOUNG FATHER REBUILT HIS FUTURE THROUGH RESPONSIBILITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

“THANKS TO THE MOBILE CLINICS, WE NOW HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES ” MAJAITI SHARES HIS STORY

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:15:59 +0000

"THANKS TO THE MOBILE CLINICS, WE NOW HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES"

When Majaiti Erukana, 39, walked past Sidani Church of Uganda that morning, he never expected to find a lifeline waiting for him.

A mobile clinic something he had once heard about from a village health team but long forgotten was right there, set up and buzzing with activity. For the Nagwere resident, it felt like a stroke of luck at just the right time.

Organized by the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF) under the German Doctors funded Inclusive and Equitable Health Care Services (IEHS) project, the mobile clinic is held quarterly to reach under served communities with essential medical services.

“Today, I’m so excited,” he said. “While returning from the market, I noticed the tents and came closer to see what was happening. When the nurses explained that they were treating patients, I didn’t hesitate. I joined immediately.”

For the past five months, Majaiti has suffered and endured severe pain in his hip, back, and lower abdomen, along with constant headaches. During the clinic visit, his blood pressure was checked and found to be dangerously high.

“I rarely go to health facilities,” he admitted. “And even when we want to go, we often don’t have money for medication. That’s when conditions get worse. I’m grateful that they discovered the high blood pressure in time and gave me medicine.”

Majaiti was also screened for a urinary tract infection (UTI), but the doctor advised that he return with his wife for further tests.

“It hurts me that she won’t receive treatment now,” he said. “The journey is long, and I wish they could give us medicine for both of us. But I understand they need to check her first.” Despite the challenges, Majaiti’s voice is filled with hope.

“I am so happy and grateful to the German doctors who brought this clinic to our village. It would have been difficult for us to reach a health facility. This is a great opportunity for people like us. Your service means everything to us and now, we have hope for a better, healthier life.”

The post “THANKS TO THE MOBILE CLINICS, WE NOW HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES ” MAJAITI SHARES HIS STORY first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

EMPOWERING WOMEN, SAVING LIVES: ZAINA’S STORY OF COURAGE AND CARE

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:51:35 +0000

EMPOWERING WOMEN, SAVING LIVES: ZAINA'S STORY OF COURAGE AND CARE

The story of 21-year-old Tigulawo Zaina from Sidani village speaks volumes about the urgent need for health education and accessible reproductive health services in rural Uganda. Like many young women, Zaina faced challenges that left her vulnerable, uninformed, and overwhelmed by motherhood at a tender age.

At just 21 years old, Tigulawo Zaina of Sidani village is already a mother of four. Her life is a portrait of resilience, painted with the challenges of early motherhood, poverty, and limited access to reproductive health services.

Zaina first became pregnant at 14 a childhood cut short by responsibilities far beyond her years. Now, two of her children are battling malnutrition, a direct consequence of un spaced pregnancies and lack of sufficient food.

“I didn’t plan to have children this way,” she shares in a low tone. “But I didn’t get the chance to grow before I had to raise someone else.”

After the birth of her first child, Zaina tried to take charge of her reproductive health and sought out family planning. However, complications followed. “I used to have constant back pain, weight loss, and severe headaches,” she recalls. “Everyone in the village was advising me to stop. I went back to the health facility and they removed the implants.”

Her story mirrors that of many young mothers across the region, where myths, health side effects, and lack of spousal support create major barriers to family planning. “I wanted to give my children a better life,” Zaina says, “but I didn’t know where to turn for help after I got sick.”

Without supportive systems both at home and within health services young women like Zaina are left to face impossible choices alone. Her voice is a plea, not only for food and medical care, but for a society that empowers women with education, support, and choices.

After experiencing health complications with family planning, Zaina discontinued her contraceptive method without fully understanding the cause of her symptoms. “I think I was impatient. I listened to people’s misconceptions and rushed to remove the implants,” she admits. “But I’m grateful that during my antenatal visits, the health workers encouraged me to breastfeed my baby. That support gave me hope again.”

Her third child, three-year-old Kisoferi Yona, has been suffering from malaria and chronic otitis media since January 2025. With no money and no effective help from the already distant government health facility, Zaina resorted to using local herbs but Yona’s condition worsened. “He stopped eating. I was deeply troubled and didn’t know what to do,” she shared, burdened by the added responsibility of caring for a four-month-old infant and two other children.

Living far from any health center, Zaina faced the heartbreaking task of carrying two children on long journeys in search of treatment. But hope arrived through our integrated health community outreaches under the Inclusive and Equitable Health Services (IEHS) project supported by German Doctors.

“The team helped me with malaria treatment, medicine for his ear infection, and a referral to receive food rations from the health facility,” Zaina explains. “My child used not to sleep well at night, and that weighed heavily on me. But now, I’m happy he’s finally getting better.”

Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact that community-based health interventions can have especially when they go beyond treatment and offer education, empathy, and empowerment.

Without proper information, Zaina’s early decisions were driven by fear and misinformation. Her journey underscores the urgent need to strengthen health education programs, especially for young women in underserved communities, so they can make informed choices about their bodies and families.

Zaina’s voice is one of hundreds being heard through the IEHS project intervention, not only healing bodies, but restoring dignity and hope to families who need it most.

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LIFE AND HEALTH AT THE GRASSROOTS: A GLIMPSE INTO KOKUTU VILLAGE

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:37:17 +0000

LIFE AND HEALTH AT THE GRASSROOTS: A GLIMPSE INTO KOKUTU VILLAGE

The grassroots communities in Kokutu village paint a vivid picture of everyday life for the ordinary Ugandan. Like many rural areas, poverty remains a major barrier to accessing quality healthcare. In these peripheral regions, limited access to health services and the prevalence of various health conditions have sadly become the norm.

As you drive through the villages, it’s a common sight to see residents walking long distances to reach their daily destinations either gardens, schools, or health facilities. A bicycle is considered a privilege by many, often being the only means of transport available. The hope of catching a ride in a passing vehicle is ever-present, but rarely fulfilled. This challenge doesn’t only affect local residents, it also impacts health workers who provide essential services at the grassroots level. The lack of reliable transportation significantly delays service delivery at local health facilities. Health workers often walk long distances to reach these facilities, and the same transportation barriers hinder the effectiveness and consistency of community outreach activities despite the health workers resilience and willingness.

One of the health workers, Magdalene Achom, shares her experience: “My home is very far from the health facility, and the outreach location is even further. I end up arriving late because there’s no reliable means of transport and even taking a boda boda takes a long time and is costly”, Achom mentioned.

However, the integrated community outreaches supported by the German doctors funded Inclusive and Equitable health Care Services(IEHS) project have implicitly strengthened healthcare delivery by increasing access to treatment for various illnesses and improving vaccination coverage. Through these outreaches, many individuals who would otherwise be unable to reach health facilities due to distance or financial constraints are now receiving timely medical care. Moreover, routine immunizations, especially for children, are realizing a noticeable rise in uptake, helping to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and tetanus, Chicken pox among others.

Sr. Akello Jane immunizing child during the outreach photo Credit; IEHS-UYAHF

Additionally, Akello Jane, a nurse at Akuor Health Center III, shared her experience:
“I’ve noticed a huge change in attitude among parents during these community outreaches, they’re much more excited to vaccinate their children than during home and facility visits and even adults who missed tetanus shots at the facility came forward during the outreach”, Jane mentioned. She continued to say that although most community members are farmers who often work without gumboots leading to frequent injuries, they cannot afford proper treatment. The tetanus vaccination program has always been in place, but turnout was low, however, during the Kokutu village outreach, people were eager to receive the shots and many much more health care services.

“It is such a joy for me as a health worker to serve my community closer to home, many patients complain about the long distance to health facilities which limits their access to care”, Jane added. These challenges are gradually becoming a thing of the past thanks to the continued medical support from the Inclusive and Equitable Health care services project implemented by UYAHF in collaboration with the ministry of health and with support from the German Doctors through integrated community outreaches.

“While many women attend antenatal care, access to scan services remains a struggle”, Magi Winnie, a 19-year-old expectant mother, expressed her gratitude after receiving free medical care during the Kokutu outreach in Bukedea District.

“I’m so happy to be treated today, I didn’t even know I had malaria until I came for the scan, the midwife advised that I go test for malaria after my scan session and for sure the lab test confirmed that I had Malaria +2 with fever and was given medication”, Winnie excitedly mentioned.

Despite these limitations, Village Health Teams (VHTs) appreciate the collaboration between the Ministry of health and the Inclusive and Equitable Healthcare services (IEHS) Project. They recognize their combined efforts are making a real difference in improving health outcomes. The VHTs recommend increasing the number of outreach days and frequency to ensure continued and expanded access to this vital service.

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SUPPORTING YOUNG MOTHERS TO ACCESS MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES; MEET CATHERINE

admin — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:11:41 +0000

SUPPORTING YOUNG MOTHERS TO ACCESS MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES; MEET CATHERINE

“The stigma and harsh treatment I faced from health workers during my first pregnancy made me give birth to my second child at home. I never thought I would ever set foot in a health facility again, but now, I feel there’s hope ” Says Hatono Catherine, a 19-year-old mother of two from Busaba sub-county, Butaleja District.”

Catherine’s story relates to many adolescent girls in Butaleja districts where girls as young as 12 years become mothers due to limited access to health services due to lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), distance to health facilities, and the pervasive stigma surrounding SRH. According to the 2024 Uganda Health Demographic Survey released by UBOS in March 2024, the Bukedi region, which includes Butaleja, has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies standing at 25.1%. Additionally, a report published by the Daily Monitor on March 5, 2021, revealed that 5,200 teenagers in Butaleja had been impregnated of over two years.

“In our community, talking about sexuality education is considered shameful,so we never got the information we needed especially during the puberty stage.”

Her experience highlights the need for SRH awareness and stigma-free conversations in underserved communities to empower girls and prevent teenage pregnancies.

Catherine’s transformation began when she attended a Young Mothers’ Forum (YMF) session organized by the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF) under the Youth Champions Challenging SRH Stigma project. These sessions equipped her with essential

knowledge about personal hygiene, safe motherhood principles, and more. Today, she is a beacon of courage and guidance for young mothers and adolescent girls in her community.

Young Mothers Forums (YMF) is a platform that brings together young mothers, young fathers, pregnant teenage girls, adolescent girls from underserved communities who are at risk of becoming teenage mothers, and adolescents in their diversities to share knowledge, experiences, unlearn, and learn critical SRH issues and principles of safe motherhood and link them to maternal health services at health facilities. The YMF sessions provided a safe space for young mothers to share their health experiences and challenges, including SRH stigma and most notably the unwelcoming attitudes of health workers while they seek services at the health facility.

“Health workers would judge us for getting pregnant at a young age,” Catherine explained. “They wouldn’t even listen to our concerns, which made many of us avoid the health facilities.”

Determined to break this long-standing health service access barrier, Catherine became a bridge between the health workers and the young mothers. She reached out to one of the mid- wives at Busaba Health Center III, Sister Twanza Esther to engage with her on how to support the adolescents so as to easily access SHR services and encourage young mothers to turn up for antenatal care and postnatal care. This meeting cultivated mutual understanding, leading to a commitment from health workers to adopt a youth-friendly approach when dealing with adolescents and young people.

“My discussion with Catherine made me realize that our communication with the young people was creating barriers instead of building trust,” admitted Esther from the facility. “The session helped us see things from the young mothers’ perspective, and we’re now more intentional about being supportive.”

Empowering Peer Support

Catherine has now become a focal peer mother at Busaba Health centre III. She works with the health facility to ensure young mothers receive Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health services. Additionally, she also holds weekly sessions every Thursday for young mothers and adolescent girls, including those who come for antenatal care at the health facility. These sessions cover topics such as Personal Hygiene, menstruation, Contraception and family planning, Immunization, antenatal care, nutrition, and baby care among others.

“Having someone who understands what we go through makes it easier to seek help, our sessions with the support of the peer mother have helped me attend all my antenatal visits. I now don’t fear health workers, they treat us well” said Mary, a 17-year-old expectant mother adding that “The peer mother listens without judging, and she’s always ready to guide us.”

The weekly sessions have become a safe space where young mothers and adolescent girls feel heard, supported, informed, and encouraged to embrace their health and that of their babies prompting more young mothers to visit the health facility, as health workers report a more positive atmosphere during consultations.

“I wasn’t sure about immunizing my baby, but after Catherine’s session, I took him to the health centre. Now I know it’s the right thing to do,” says Shakira, another young mother.

Catherine’s work has gone beyond just imparting knowledge, it’s breaking the SRH stigma that often surrounds young mothers and adolescent girls in the community. Her efforts have inspired not only young mothers but adolescents to take charge of their health and make informed decisions.

“I’m proud to see the impact these sessions have created,” Catherine says with a smile. “The young mothers are more confident, and they are taking steps to prevent unintended pregnancy, and ensure better health for themselves and their children.”

Through the support of UYAHF and her determination, Catherine has turned her personal growth into a community movement, proving that with the right knowledge and encouragement, young mothers can thrive and inspire others to do the same.

The post SUPPORTING YOUNG MOTHERS TO ACCESS MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES; MEET CATHERINE first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

EMPOWERING LOCAL ACTION THROUGH SMART ADVOCACY TRAINING IN BUTALEJA DISTRICT.

admin — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:57:43 +0000

EMPOWERING LOCAL ACTION THROUGH SMART ADVOCACY TRAINING IN BUTALEJA DISTRICT

In September 2024, UYAHF under the CEHURD-funded Youth Champions Challenging SRH stigma project conducted a two-day transformative capacity-building session for youth champions, health workers, CBOs, and district officials in Butaleja District aimed at strengthening advocacy power to build local movements and initiatives at the community level to address the persistent SRH challenges facing young people in the district. This intensive training equipped the participants with skills in SMART Advocacy, Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA), and Meaningful and Inclusive Youth Participation (MIYP). The impact of the training has been profound, not just for the CBO, but also for the young people in the community.

According to Grace, before the training, the team at ALBO struggled with work plans and a limited strategic direction. “As CBOs especially in upcountry and many can attest to this we struggle so much in strategic programming. Speaking for ALBO, we didn’t know how to break down our big goals into actionable steps. But through the SMART advocacy training, the team learned how to set actionable and measurable goals. Grace affirmed, adding “Now, we create

detailed work plans with clear timelines and achievable objectives. This has made our outreach programs more impactful,”

She noted that the MIYP component of the training also helped the organization highly recognize the importance of actively involving young people and volunteers in its activities and programming.

“When we were taken through the power walk in one of the sessions on MIYP, I realised that there is much we have been leaving out in terms of young people’s involvement including for our volunteers in our programming” Grace mentions that “In the field, we used to see young people as beneficiaries, but now the lens is different. We pick their voices and think through solutions together. Their minds have brought new solutions and relevance to our programs,”

According to Kisaakye Rachael, a volunteer at ALBO, the technical staff have benefited significantly from the training, gaining new skills in advocacy and facilitation. “I used to think advocacy was for big organizations, but now I see how we can influence local decision-makers and community leaders to support SRH initiatives,” Rachael noted.

Additionally, Grace affirmed that the GTA training encouraged her team to rethink its outreach strategies. The team now tailors their activities like community dialogues to address specific gender norms one example being the most common one in the community that looks at women as mere domestic workers in which men force them to work in the rice fields and only wait to sell the products and take charge of the proceeds.

“We now integrate gender-sensitive approaches in everything we do. For example, during our SRH sessions, we ensure both boys and girls, men and women feel equally valued and heard. We also have started mobilizing local and cultural leaders through structural community engagements to understand and challenge harmful cultural norms that encourage SGBV and undermine women’s rights” She added.

For Grace and her team, despite being a one-time training, the consistent follow-up and monitoring from UYAHF have made her team more technical, confident, and capable of significant change as seen within the community. Through its thoughtful training approach, UYAHF has not only strengthened the capacity of CBOs but also sparked a movement toward a more inclusive and stigma-free community in Butaleja.

The post EMPOWERING LOCAL ACTION THROUGH SMART ADVOCACY TRAINING IN BUTALEJA DISTRICT. first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

SURVIVING COMPLICATIONS OF UNSAFE ABORTION; NABWIRE’S JOURNEY TO HEALING AND HOPE

admin — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:43:10 +0000

SURVIVING COMPLICATIONS OF UNSAFE ABORTION; NABWIRE’S JOURNEY TO HEALING AND HOPE

Nabwire (Not their real name), a vibrant 16-year-old girl from Busolwe sub-county, Butaleja district, lived with a heavy and life-threatening secret for over two months. As a primary six pupil with limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information, faced the unimaginable challenge of teenage pregnancy. Overwhelmed by fear, the desire to continue pursuing her education, and societal stigma, she attempted an unsafe abortion that left her with complications including a perforating uterus. Too scared to speak out, she endured the pain in silence, unsure where to turn for help.

Nabwire is just one among many adolescents in Butaleja, a district that has persistently grappled with high rates of teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion practices largely fuelled by limited access to SRH information and services. According to the 2024 Uganda Health Demographic Survey released by UBOS in March 2024, the Bukedi region, which includes Butaleja, has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy standing at 25.1%. Additionally, a report published by the Daily Monitor on March 5, 2021, revealed that 5,200 teenagers in Butaleja had been impregnated for over two years.

Unlike many other out of school girls, Nabwire is lucky to be in a school where certainly chances for support occasionally appear. Her life took a positive turn when A Little Bit of Hope Uganda (ALBO), a local Community-Based Organization (CBO), visited Busaba Project Primary School where she attends classes. They were conducting SRH sessions at the government-founded Primary school as part of their work plan implementation for the Youth Champions Challenging SRH Stigma Project under the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum, funded by CEHURD. Through the interactive discussions on menstruation and teenage pregnancy, ALBO facilitators created a safe and supportive space where young girls could openly learn, share their experiences, and find hope and that is where the already pain-stricken Salama gained the courage to open up.

“I remember sitting in that first session and feeling like they were talking directly to me,” says Salama. “They didn’t judge anyone but encouraged us to speak up and seek help when we need it. That gave me the courage to attend the next session.” Nabwire explained in her local language.

Inspired by the openness of the peer facilitators and the compassionate approach of the senior woman teacher, Salama finally found her voice. She confided in the senior woman teacher about her ordeal.

“Nabwire’s bravery moved me deeply,” says Ms. Hamba Esther, the senior woman teacher. “Many girls suffer silently, but through these sessions, they begin to realize they are not alone, and there is help available. When Salama shared her story, we immediately acted to ensure she received the medical care she needed.”

She was taken to Busolwe Hospital, where she received post-abortal care. The medical intervention saved her life and marked the beginning of her journey toward recovery.
Today, Nabwire is thriving and has big dreams for her future. “I want to become a nurse and help other girls like me,” she says with a confident smile. “If it wasn’t for those sessions, I don’t know where I’d be. They saved my life.”

Nabwire’s story signifies the power of extending SRH sessions closer to young people at the grassroots.

“Seeing girls like Nabwire find their strength and hope again is why we need this kind of community intervention,” says Rachael, a peer facilitator with ALBO Uganda. “By holding many and regular sessions, we will break the silence and stigma around sexual and reproductive health issues, but one session at a time.”

Through the Youth Champions Challenging SRH Stigma Project, Nabwire not only found healing but got a platform to amplify her voice and her story inspires other young girls to speak out, seek help, and pursue their dreams.

The post SURVIVING COMPLICATIONS OF UNSAFE ABORTION; NABWIRE’S JOURNEY TO HEALING AND HOPE first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.

KINTU PETER’S QUEST FOR A HEALTHY AND EMPOWERED YOUTHS IN BUTALEJA

admin — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:15:56 +0000

“KINTU PETER'S QUEST FOR A HEALTHY AND EMPOWERED YOUTH IN BUTALEJA

In the heart of Namboole village, Nakwasi Parish, Butaleja District, Kintu Peter’s story is one of determination, change, strength, and the power of community-based approaches in challenging Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges. At just 18 years old, Peter is redefining the health narrative of young people in his community. This is all attributed to his involvement in the Youth Champions Challenging Sexual Reproductive Health Stigma (YCCSRHS) project that is implemented in Butaleja, funded by CEHURD and implemented by the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF).

As a teenager like many of his peers, Peter initially struggled with health issues like urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections, driven by a lack of information about SRH, stigma, myths, and misconceptions surrounding SRH-seeking behavior, especially for men and boys. However, joining the Young Mothers Forum (YMF) sessions at Nabiganda Health Centre IV under the YCCSRHS project marked a turning point in his life. These sessions equipped him with many others the knowledge and skills in SRH and encouraged him to take an active role in his community that was mired by unprecedented SRH challenges.

About the Young Mother’s Forums (YMFs)

YMFs is a transformative and inclusive platform that brings together young mothers, young fathers, pregnant teenage girls, adolescent girls from underserved communities who are at risk of becoming teenage mothers, and adolescents in their diversities to share knowledge, experiences, unlearn, and learn critical SRH issues and principles of safe motherhood. Facilitated at Nabiganda Health Center VI and Busaba Health Center III in the district, the sessions at Nabiganda Health Center IV are held every Sunday, led by Evelyen Nekesa a peer mother, and Sister Aduru Salom, a midwife with UYAHF providing consistent follow-up and support. During these sessions, the group discusses the pillars of safe motherhood, such as family planning, antenatal care, (ANC), obstetric care, postnatal care (PNC), post-abortion care, HIV/STD prevention, communication around behaviour change and primary health care.

Motivated by the lessons and support from the young mother’s forum, Kintu decided to take the lead in addressing the challenges, including high rates of STI/STD infections, SGBV, drug abuse, and teenage pregnancy faced by young people in his community. Every Sunday, he convenes over 20 young people under a significant mango tree at their compound for an SRH session focusing on breaking the stigma around adolescents and young people utilizing SRH services and sensitizing them so that they are confident to make informed decisions about their health while linking them to health facilities. This gathering has become a safe space for young people to learn, unlearn, and share experiences with their peers. So far, he has facilitated sessions on HIV, STD/STI prevention, correct condom use, and personal hygiene.

“Young people are shy and fearful. I have seen an incident where a boy almost died of gonorrhea because he kept silent about the disease for fear of mockery and shame. It got to the worst stage, and he was rushed to the hospital while in a coma. This silence is because people in this community laugh and make fun of you if they notice you have an infection. So, I found it important to create a space that can break such stigma and allow young people to feel comfortable to freely share, learn, and ask questions about their health,” Kintu noted.

He revealed that young people are now asking for condoms because they are now assertive about their health and know the importance of having safe sex.

“I feel glad that wherever I meet young people even those who are not part of these sessions, they ask for condoms and request that I supply them regularly. This shows me that the small group I lead always spreads the information,” he happily stated.

He now wants to speak to the in charge of Nabiganda Health Centre IV to create a condom bank in the community where young people can regularly and freely access condoms.

Meanwhile, recognizing the need for support for girls in his school, St. Marys Kapissa, who face challenges while in their menstruation, the 18-year-old senior three students reached out to the school administration, and with support from Nabiganda Health Center IV, he started conducting school sessions on menstrual hygiene, empowering girls with information about their menstrual health and their SRH rights.

Beyond health advocacy, Kintu is also making strides in economic empowerment. As a member of the Nabiganda Young Mothers Village Savings and Loans Association, he borrowed UGX 300,000 to cultivate an acre of rice. He bought a plot of land from the profits of his rice harvest and has also started a brick-making project, where he has already laid 20,000 bricks with a target of 40,000.

“The savings group taught me how to turn small money into big opportunities,” Kintu explains.

“Now I’m not only supporting my parents by making a small contribution towards my school fees, catering for my basic needs, and investing but also setting an example for other young people within the community.”

“I believe that young people should not just be job seekers but job thinkers,” Peter said passionately. “The savings group and the knowledge I gained from the several capacity building sessions organised by UYAHF have shown me that with the right mindset and support, we can create opportunities where none seem to exist.”

Peter’s community SRH sessions and entrepreneurial ventures have inspired many young people in the YMF group and his village. He exemplifies how young fathers and mothers can become champions of change, challenge stigma, and build better futures for themselves and their communities.

Kintu Peter’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that empowering youth is not just transformative for individuals but for entire communities.

The post KINTU PETER’S QUEST FOR A HEALTHY AND EMPOWERED YOUTHS IN BUTALEJA first appeared on Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum.