Our work makes a contribution to improving the quality of life of young people. Through our programs we ensure that every young person in Uganda can access the accurate information to aid and direct them in taking that crucial life decision regarding their Life Skills and Development, Behavior Change Communication and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.
Youth Driven
Teamwork Transparency and Openness
Appreciation for diversity
4
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
INTRODUCTORY LETTERS / MESSAGES
BOARD CHAIRPERSON CEO AND FOUNDER
RECOGNITION
OUR PARTNERS
W H AT D O Y O U S E E I N T H E C O M I N G
YEAR FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF RAHU?
10
OUR TEAM
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY YOUNG PEOPLE
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICE LINKAGES
38
09
17 YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
08
06
F I N A N C I A L I N F O R M AT I O N
2020 RAHU INCOMES RECOGNISED
OUR TEAM
ADVISORY BOARD
39 5
From
webinars,
to
e-conferences,
virtual
edutainment concerts, the launch of SAUTIplus TV and the SAUTIplus USSD Code, COVID-19 youth led response project in West Nile, engaging local governments to integrate Sexual Reproductive Health agenda into the COVID 19 response and more. There is nothing more that can inspire and make the Advisory Board proud of the team and movement that Reach A Hand Uganda has become. I want to thank the 2017 - 2020 Advisory Board members that always supported and offered guidance to the team. As I bounce back as the Chairperson of the 2020 - 2022 Advisory Board,
LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIRPERSON
I am equally excited to see what new exciting strategies and innovations the team will do. I hope that by the time you are reading the same report next year, we will be celebrating together again.
2
020 was a very unprecedented year for
So read on.
everyone. COVID-19 disrupted the status quo and what was left was a series of
To all our donors, partners, friends, well wishers
global lockdowns leading to a ripple effect of
and others who have let us share in their
limited movements, loss of livelihoods, lives and
generosity, and on behalf of our dedicated staff
no access to education and healthcare.
and Advisory Board, I offer my sincere gratitude. Thank you for inspiring us and for joining us in
Truth be told, everyone was scared. We were all
building Reach A Hand Uganda together.
left with one option: either to sink or swim. Reach A Hand Uganda chose the option to
To the Peer Educators, and entire
swim and adapt to the situation even though its
staff of Reach A Hand Uganda, I
Founder and Chief Executive Officer got stuck in
have one word for you: Abako!
the USA for over five months due to the ban on ANNUAL REPORT 2020
international travel. I am so proud that the team rolled up its sleeves and did more than most organisations in Uganda and East Africa whether youth led or not have done in the spirit of empowering their fellow young people.
6
Advisory Board Chairperson
INTERVIEW WITH OUR CEO AND FOUNDER 2020 was a very challenging year. Beyond the financial impact, how has the COVID 19 pandemic changed RAHU’s strategy? I believe 2020 was a positive year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to get to the drawing board and adapt to the new normal. I cannot deny the fact that it was challenging. I was stuck in the USA for when I returned, I had to undergo the mandatory two (weeks) quarantine period. But nonetheless, the team was able to innovate and come up with new ideas to stay relevant. We can’t overlook our socially distanced activities in communities across the country which wouldn’t have happened without the support of partners like the Ministry of Health, UNFPA, Cordaid and more. The lock down period pushed RAHU several years into the future, a future where RAHU seeks to become a leader in the digital communication of SRHR and other development concerns of young people. A future where young people both rural and urban, in and out of school can share their voices on the things that affect their day to day lives with policy makers and implementers, with peers, and together drive their destiny. It is in the lockdown period that, we evolved the SAUTIplus ecosystem to include the offline USSD Code (*284*15#) which can work on feature phones and aid information search on SRHR issues as well as referral for access to SRHR services within the vicinity of young people. We also launched SAUTIplus TV (online), conducted virtual edutainment concerts where we were able to work with partners to provide information on contraception, webinars, e-conferences, and implemented a joint COVID-19 youth led response project in West Nile and engaged local governments to integrate Sexual Reproductive Health agenda into the COVID-19 response at the local levels.
Did the pandemic affect some of the goals and projects we set out to do? Of course it did. We had a very aggressive plan of rolling out our new empowerment initiative, The iKon. However, we did not because COVID-19 brought a prolonged series of lockdowns, limitations on events and we were more focused on survival. We had to put a pause on this project. But this gave us a chance to rethink the strategy of the initiative further and come up with a much more robust roll out plan and futuristic roll out of the idea. I am positive that this was a missed opportunity that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. What would we consider to have been your key highlights in 2020? For me, it was the time I did a country YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
over 5 months because air travel was restricted. Even
tour to meet all the Reach A Hand Uganda peer educators. All these young people directly work under our regional staff but I needed to learn and see for myself the kind of work that they do. Learning the work and passion that these young people have for their communities inspired me. I felt nostalgic. It reminded me of the days when I used to go to communities as a teenage peer educator to empower my fellow peers. I am more than energized to engage further with them moving forward. 7
PARTNERS
Our partners that continued to believe in our energies and youthful abilities even in the hard times, made a
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
mark indelible in our journey;
8
WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE COMING YEAR FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF RAHU?
is working with partners both in the community and at the national level.
Most of our events are supported by the corporate sector. Therefore, almost all these never happened in 2020 (for the most part). But fortunately as we adapted, we started our virtual online events that featured cultural icons for example Navio, Geosteady, Nutty Neithan, Karol Kasiita, Allan
and even achieve more in the long run, reach out to more young people and change many lives. Also, Reach A Hand Uganda will be ten years come July, 2021. This is a milestone that we shall celebrate and show the world our aspirations, but also we aim to consolidate our achievements. We aspire to continue to grow ourselves professionally, and indeed
Toniks and more.
we shall have our team boasted with the
We were blessed to talk to partners for
to our mission and help us to remain
example Mariestopes Uganda, PSI Uganda and others who supported in championing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights information and services during these sessions. So, we expect these kinds of partnerships to flourish
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
O
ne of Reach A Hand Uganda’s strengths
professionals that we hope will add value competitive in the youth SRHR space. We invite you to join and support RAHU on her journey of empowerment and transformation for Young people.
9
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR TEAM
10
James K. Tumusiime Country Director
Humphrey Nabimanya CEO & Founder
Janet Kukundakwe Finance and Administration Manager
Benson Muhindo Head of Programmes
Daphne Asiimwe Head of Finance and Administration
Winnie Brenda Watera Policy and Advocacy Manager
•
V I B R A N T
•
P U R P OS E - L E D
Maureen Andinda Strategy and Business Development Manager
Waiswa Owa Batambuze Head of Communications
Stella Mudondo Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager
Gladys Naluzze Monitoring Evaluation & Learning Officer
Helen Patricia Amutuhaire Programmes Manager
Ibrahim Nkonge Events and Experiential Manager
Tabitha Akello Senior Programmes Officer
Namanya Herman Senior Programmes Officer
Frances Aanyu President - Youth Engagement
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
DY N A M I C
11
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR TEAM
12
Sheila Kasabiiti Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer
Stanley Wamala Internal Editor
Arenji Fiona Josephine Senior Finance Officer
Winyi Sharon Banura Senior Strategy & Business Development Officer
Wanyama Paul Senior Innovations Analyst
Yvonne Mpambara Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer
Angella Hilda Kemirembe Communications Officer
Elizabeth Tendo Communications Officer
Charity Kiwumulo Communications Officer
•
V I B R A N T
•
P U R P OS E - L E D
Patricia Catherine Najjita Communications Officer
Brain Nsubuga Finance Officer
Kihembo Doreen Strategy and Business Development Officer
Allan Kinani Policy and Advocacy Officer
Victoria Miracle Chemutai Programmes Officer (Disability inclusion)
Achilles Baguma Programmes Officer
Ali Raffsanjan Akbar Programmes Officer
Peace Yikiru Dralega Programmes Officer
Albert Francis Ongom Programmes Officer
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
DY N A M I C
13
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
OUR TEAM
Solomon Muganza Byuma Programmes Officer
Sarah Kyebambe Administrative Office
Crispus Kiiza Finance Officer
David Joseph Kasule Communications Officer
Jucent Patience Nabbira Front Desk Officer
Herron Kiggundu Office Assistant
Francis Muntoyera Senior Transport Officer 14
Nasurudin Kisakye Transport Officer
Wyklif Morgan Kamoga Transport Officer
•
V I B R A N T
Joyce Babirye Hospitality Officer
•
P U R P OS E - L E D
Rose Nanziri Hospitality Officer
PEER EDUCATORS GROUP PHOTO
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
DY N A M I C
15
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO! RAHU is an adolescent and youth centered
a Sauti senga, mobile USSD - *284*15#; a
organisation founded in 2011, whose core
Mobile App on iOS and Android, Kyaddala
work is centred around supporting the
it’s real Pan African series while ensuring
improvement of the Sexual Reproductive
disability inclusion in all our work.
Health and Rights (SRHR)
of
young
people in Uganda.
Through our Annual Peer
Our multi pronged approach
fact
that
hinges on social behavior change,
adolescents
and
linking communities to services
The
young people are disproportionately affected by
and advocacy for SRHR.
Educators
Academy,
an initiative that equips young people with allinclusive life skills with a critical focus on SRHR,
SRHR
RAHU worked with 778
challenges including limited access to
enthusiastic peer educators across the
accurate information and adolescent and
country. Throughout our work, aspects of
youth friendly services, only goes to reaffirm
gender transformation, meaningful youth
our mission to empower young people in
participation
Uganda with complete information, skills
approach reinforce RAHU’s interventions.
and
human
rights-based
and tools to enable them live healthy focused and productive lives.
Through
programs
such
as
the
Women, adolescents and Youth Rights Over the years, we have designed effective
Empowerment (WAY) program, Make 12.4%
communication strategies that appeal to
work (disability inclusion) program and
the young demographic, including but not
interpersonal
limited to intergenerational dialogues, the
RAHU engages young people, community
SAUTIplus eco system comprising of TV,
leaders
and
community decision
interventions,
makers
through
dialogues, outreaches, linkages to SRHR and family planning services in order to increase awareness on the gender and ANNUAL REPOPRT 2020
disability related challenges faced by young people in their communities, and encourage community led action towards finding solutions to these challenges.
16
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
17
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
people’s participation in SRHR discussions at district and national level and supported the Government of Uganda COVID-19 response programmes. Due to the COVID-19 situation and the accompanying restrictions, RAHU leveraged on its innovative streak mediums, like radio, TV, social media, fun and interactive apps as well as edutainment to keep young people engaged while promoting good health and being inclusive
ADOLESCENT, YOUTH AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
A
s our tagline “Young people for young people” reads, our main beneficiaries are young people. Our work over the years
has embodied interventions that put young people at the forefront, albeit also targeting stakeholders responsible for young people’s SRHR. In 2020, our zeal did not wane, despite the difficult circumstances presented by COVID-19. As sexual reproductive health needs do not pause for pandemics, we worked together with various partners to ensure that we reached as many young people as we could to ensure that no one was left behind. With over 778 peer educators, youth champions and advocates in active service across the
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
country, RAHU was able to directly reach 1,607,048 people with information on SRHR which contributed to increased awareness on key SRHR concepts, practices, challenges and recommendations; contributed to improved health seeking behaviour among those who were reached, including in hard to reach areas like the Karamoja subregion; improved young 18
of marginalised groups including young people with disability, young refugees etc.
More
specifically we were able to accomplish the following;
Capacity Building of Youth Change Agents As part of our peer education strategy, through the Peer Educator Academy, we built capacity of 302 young people in various districts including Kampala,
Isingiro,
Rwampara,
Mbarara,
Adjumani, Kasese, Mayuge, Jinja, Kitgum, Madi Okollo, and Obongi who joined multitudes of other peer educators and youth champions tasked to spearhead behaviour change activities with their fellow young people or peers. The selected young people were empowered with information on Sexual reproductive health and Rights (SRHR), life skills, Meaningful youth participation,
Leadership
skills,
livelihood
improvement and COVID 19 prevention. The training rolled out a cohort of change agents who are now part of a movement of change agents actively challenging existing structures that demerit young people’s sexual reproductive health.
Before I joined the GUSO (Get up Speak
The skills and knowledge I have gained has
Out) Programme, I was only a school drop
empowered me to not only disseminate
out. I used to wake up and hang around
SRHR information but also influence change
the village centers. When I saw the advert
in my sub-county. Currently I serve as the
where RAHU was looking for young people, I
youth chairperson for Buyele parish and the
was encouraged to apply even when I didn’t
secretary for labour affairs at Mayuge district
fully understand what being a peer educator
local government. GUSO provided me a
meant. When I got selected, I started to
platform to interact with the different youth
understand my relevancy and the power I
spaces within the district but also identify
hold as a young person to create change
gaps that I turned into opportunities to grow.”
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
MWANDA DENIS PEER EDUCATOR MPUNGWE SUB-COUNTY - MAYUGE DISTRICT
among my fellow peers. During the lockdown a lot of young people in my community could not access SRHR commodities like condoms since the health centers were far from them, however, I could pick them from the health centers and distribute within the community.
19
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
KAGINA ISHACK AKAMPA PEER EDUCATOR KAMPALA
The academy showed me the light - after
Throughout my time as a peer educator
meeting people of significant repute and
with Reach A Hand Uganda my dream was
recognizing how they were using either
to continue pushing my art, an opportunity
their talents or fields of work to inspire, and
which I was given for example my work has
influence the youth in their communities I
been featured on different platforms including
decided to use my art for positive behaviour
the Kyaddala, its real season two launch and
change”.
at the Performing Arts Unlimited Conference. With the platform I have been given I will
When
COVID-19
hit and we
could not
continue our engagements with young people in schools through peer learning sessions, we were encouraged to influence young people within our communities so that they ANNUAL REPORT 2020
can also make informed choices. I started using art to communicate to the public about sexual reproductive health and human rights on social media.
20
continue using my art for good
LILLIAN MURUNGI PEER EDUCATOR KAGADI KAGADI DISTRICT
“As a teenager, I got pregnant and couldn’t
referred young people to health centers for
continue my education. Luckily when the
services through door to door sensitization.
RISE programme was introduced in Kagadi district, I saw it as an opportunity to influence
“To support my child, I started up a mobile
change in her community and speak to her
money business within Kagadi and the
fellow young people about SRH and not
commission is what i i use to provide for my
follow my example.”
baby, but this would not be possible without the empowerment i got from Reach A Hand Uganda”
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Since Muringi was selected and trained as a peer educator, she has been so passionate about her role that even the lockdown couldn’t stop her. During the lockdown when a lot of young people in her communities couldn’t access SRHR information to enable them make informed choices, she offered herself to support
during
community
outreaches,
21
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
Capacity building of Media Personalities on Sexuality Education
District Share 101s Youth Champions under the Women Adolescents
The media as the fourth estate play an important
and youth Empowerment (WAY) programmes
role in disseminating, analysing and shaping
were supported to convene share 101s to
discourse on key social and health issues. We
disseminate findings from the youth led surveys
held two training sessions and equipped a total
conducted by their fellow youth champions in
of 46 journalists representing different media
10 districts of Adjumani, Agago, Amuru, Arua,
spaces of Television, Print, Radio and online/
Kitgum, Lamwo, Moyo, Mado-okollo Obongi
Freelance Journalists who had a keen interest in
and Yumbe. Through the share 101s the youth
young people and Sexual Reproductive Health
champions engaged the leadership of the
with information on sexuality education and
districts to improve their response to young
COVID 19. The training aimed to prepare the
people’s SRHR. Through the share 101s we
journalists to report accurately on SRHR issues
were able to increase participation of young
amid COVID 19 as it was predicted that SRHR
people at local government level.
would suffer as a result of the pandemic. The media personalities were also tasked to pitch ideas for stories that would be supported.
Support of District Coordination Mechanisms
Through features by stories of journalists trained, we were able to create awareness on
In 10 districts of Adjumani, Agago, Amuru, Arua,
several issues relating to SRHR.
Kitgum, Lamwo, Moyo, Mado-okollo Obongi and Yumbe RAHU supported the districts to convene quarterly coordination meetings with
Engagement of 161 Stakeholders in Leadership Forums at District Level
stakeholders in the districts. These meetings played the important role of keeping the
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
district apprised on CSO interventions and Through leadership forums, youth champions
provided a platform for feedback on progress.
in the Karamoja subregion in the districts of
Recommendations at these meetings were
Moroto, Nakapiripiriti, Napak, Kaabong, Kotido,
apportioned to respective stakeholders and
Amudat and Abim were supported to engage
partners for actioning. During these coordination
their district leadership on issues affecting youth
meetings, a total of 145 district leaders were
in their respective sub counties with emphasis
engaged and they committed to supporting
on SRHR. The district local governments
SRHR interventions at the district level. They
committed to improving budgets for SRHR in
also committed to strengthening their data
the districts and also committed to working
collection mechanisms through the district
with CSOs to improve SRHR outcomes in the
Biostatisticians office.
subregion. Through these leadership activities, the youth champions were frequently engaged
To obtain support from the local council
and empowered to take up leadership roles in
structures for interventions under the WAY
their constituencies.
programme. convening of
RAHU
also
supported
the
local council meetings which
brought together local leaders from the various sub counties to share more on the WAY project and share results of the work done. 22
Peer learning sessions
were used to share SRHR experiences, stories, information with the main aim of shaping,
Prior to the closure of schools, due to COVID 19,
strengthening and challenging preconceived
trained peer educators carried out peer learning
ideas, opinions and values on key SRHR issues.
sessions where they provided age appropriate information to 2,893 students in 80 schools. The monitored sessions were conducted on several topics including; Menstrual health management,
Engagement of young people with disabilities through the make 12.4% work initiative.
body changes and positive body image, healthy relationships, career development and more.
RAHU ensures that in all its programming,
During the sessions, school structures were
there is inclusion of people with disabilities.
supported to increase awareness on SRHR
Throughout our programming in 2020, we
issues. Meetings with teachers were held to
ensured
provide feedback on pertinent SRHR issues
was catered for, young people with disabilities
identified and possible solutions discussed.
meaningfully participated in the activities and
that
reasonable
accommodation
specific interventions targeting PWDs were
Community Generation for Generation Dialogues
conducted. In our peer educators academy, we trained 6 YPLWDs to support their participation as peer educators, 55 were reached through
Dialogues with stakeholders across generations
physical dialogues.
districts of operation. The dialogues, held with
Seven activities had reasonable accommodation
duty bearers facilitated discussions on SRH
catered for e.g radio talk shows, online
issues that are rife in the community. As part
engagement activities like tweetchats, Peer
of the dialogues, action points curated from
Educators Academy, e-conferences that targeted
the collective feedback were documented for
more than 1000 YPLWD reached digitally via
actioning by the duty bearers .
the Make 12.4% Work and Reach A Hand social
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
were conducted by peer educators in their
media platforms. Our Advisory Board also has
Digital engagement through online platforms.
a slot for YPLWDs currently occupied by Ms. Noeline Ondoru, a peer educator and student leader at Makerere University.
To complement other avenues of youth engagement, SAUTIplus, Facebook and Twitter 23
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICE LINKAGES
Through existing partnerships with service providing institutions both public health facilities and private not for profit facilities for example ACODEV, RHU, MSUG, PSI, etc. were able to facilitate 81,802 to receive
A
sexual reproductive health services through
exacerbated the situation due to the preventive
Our beneficiaries were able to receive Sexual
measures in place to reduce the community
Reproductive Health and Rights services
spread.
through
ccess to services remains an imminent
outreaches and direct completed referrals
challenge facing adolescents and young
including in humanitarian settings in West
people in Uganda. The onset of COVID
Nile and South West Uganda.
19, may have, as anecdotal evidence shows,
the
different
Implementation
channels as indicated in the chart below.
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Together with our networks of peer educators
24
and youth champions spread out throughout the
Of the people reached in 2020 with SRHR
country our efforts were geared towards bridging
services, 54% were served at outreaches, 31%
the otherwise widening gap through demand
at the Dialogues, 10% through the peers, 4%
generation activities including awareness creation,
through the Sauti Plus E-Referral system and
door to door mobilisation and referrals.
1% through youth days.
Dialogues
Outreaches
Youth Days
Peer Referrals
E-Referrals
31%
54%
1%
10%
4%
The youth days were introduced in the last 6
facilities for safe delivery in 6 months. We also
months of the year in Kasese District as another
leveraged the use of the SAUTIplus e-referral
channel to reach out to the young people.
system (internet supported) and the SAUTIplus
The learning we take is that there is a need to
USSD code *284*15# (No internet required)
use multiple channels to reach young people
to augment our service linkage component
with SRHR information and service. Services
through the use of mobile devices. The
provided during 2020 resulted in a total Couple
innovative approaches were especially useful
Years of Protection (CYP ) of 29,186.2.
within the COVID 19 context. These facilitated the provision of 3606 services.
COVID-19 Support to Districts Through the youth led COVID 19 response RAHU established herself as a leader in
project
the fight against COVID 19 by supporting
Uganda through Cordaid we also doubled our
the Ministry of Health COVID 19 response
efforts on increasing SRHR and COVID 19
programme. With the support from UNFPA,
awareness
RAHU supported 22 districts with COVID 19
and Adjumani. Through the project we were
response interventions. Our support was linked
able to reach 9,376 with information. A values
to COVID19 risk communication, through radio
clarification training was also held for 30 health
shows on local stations, online campaigns,
workers in Kasese and Adjumani on maternal
strengthening the prevention control measures
health for adolescents and young people. This
by training health workers, strengthening
was to support the health workers not to not
district leadership through support of COVID
discriminate against adolescents and young
19 task force coordination and supervisory
people seeking services especially modern
efforts, supporting the establishment of safe
contraception and post abortion care.
supported by The SRHR alliance
in humanitarian settings in Arua
to link clients to ambulance services. To further strengthen systems for service provision even
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
ambulance referrals and running of call centres
Development of the user friendly USSD Code
during the COVID 19 Pandemic, we supported 22 districts to train 886 health workers on SRH
To increase our reach to more young people
integration in the COVID 19 responses; these
during the lockdown, the RAHU developed
provided services to 12,838 pregnant women
the USSD code to simplify access to sexual
which averted several maternal deaths.
reproductive health and rights services. By Simply dialing *284*15# you get access to SRH
To further support in averting maternal deaths,
Information and a referral to the nearest Health
RAHU with the support from UNFPA Uganda
facility offering the needed service. It does not
procured and administered an Ambulance in
leave anyone behind, whether you use a feature
Amuru district which transported 285 women to
or smartphone. 25
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
together stakeholders including duty bearers
ADVOCACY AND POLICY ENGAGEMENT
to dialogue on the issues while observing the Standard operating procedures. . To increase participation across the regions, the dialogues were televised on Baaba TV, Bukedde TV, TV West and NBS to reach over 1,000,000 people.
Youth Led Advocacy and Research
The dialogue called for concerted efforts to
An enabling policy environment is key to promoting
positive
reproductive
health
outcomes for adolescents and young people. In 2020, we reinforced our advocacy efforts through various activities including;
Key Advocacy Campaigns
contributed efforts
towards advocating for the enactment, passing and implementation of key policies including the school health policy, the adolescents health policy, National sexuality education framework. The policies which are set to streamline and improve responses to young people’s SRH have suffered a blow due to the country’s value system. RAHU through digital communication campaigns on for example the #NHSPNowNow, #LiveYourDreamUG,
#UDECIDEUg
created
awareness on the importance of the improved policies among relevant stakeholders, especially young people.
under AFRIYAN convened regional dialogues in
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
our most efficient tool to; boost access to SRHR information, increase participation of stakeholders with an emphasis on young people at local, national and international levels, and increase transparency around our work with young people. Through TV and radio, we piggybacked on our growing media partnerships with several stations with a wide listenership and or viewership. In contexts where it was permitted, physical dialogues happened concurrently. The interventions targeted key stakeholders including but not limited to line ministries including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender and Social Development and Ministry of Education, media personalities, key civil
and rights as well as document commitments
Population Fund- Uganda, the youth advocates Mayuge (to commemorate world contraception Adjumani
and
Mbarara
representing Central, Eastern, Western and Karamoja regions to discuss issues around Sexual reproductive health, Family planning, modern contraception and well as sexual and gender based violence. The dialogues brought 26
e-Conferences/Dialogues and Live Broadcasts
experiences on their Sexual reproductive health
With the support of the United Nations
Kampala,
well as transparency in health budgeting
society organisations to share opinions and
Live Your Dream Dialogues
day),
improve GBV responses at the lower level as
During the COVID19 period, the media became
RAHU through a network of youth advocates trained on advocacy,
improve supply of FP services in communities,
. The dialogues also explored the role of health officials, parents, teachers, young people and artists, in disseminating accurate and relevant SRHR information to young people during the holidays. Other avenues leveraged included webinars on virtual platforms like facebook, zoom and google hangouts tweet chats on topical youth SRHR issues including early and unintended,
pregnancy sexuality education, family planning
the impact of COVID 19 . The Keynote address
and
by Dr. Daniel Byamukama, Head HIV Prevention,
contraception,
increased
access
to
information and services to mention a few.
Uganda AIDS Commission under the theme Uganda and HIV: Progress, Opportunities, Recommendations.” it was noted that men
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
iKnow HIV/AIDS awareness Campaign
were missing from the HIV/AIDS discourse and Our annual commemoration of World AIDS Day
which is affecting their health seeking behaviour
took place 1st December at Victoria University
and impacting on the HIV/AIDS outcomes in the
with the support of the Global Livingston
country.
Institute, Segal Family Foundation, Rutgers and several other partners like the Networkwork of
We reached 1406 people (259 males and 1147
Young People living with HIV/AIDS. The full day
females) with Sexual Reproductive Health
hybrid event, (virtual and physical in line with
services.World AIDS day capped a week of
the Standard Operating Procedures) brought
outreach activities in various districts including
together key stakeholders in the youth SRHR and
Kabale, Kasese, Hoima, Adjumani and Mbarara
HIV programming space to draw attention to the
which had an integration of HIV/ AIDS and SRHR
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda and highlighted
information and services. 27
Regional Youth Summit
conversations on Vasectomy as a viable method and a safe option for men. RAHU also organised
The 2020 Regional Youth Summit gathered
extra-curricular activities with men like football
voices of young people, health workers, district
(soccer) to foster collaborations between the
officials, parents, religious leaders at the
satisfied users and potential clients.
forefront of young people’s SRHR. The virtual
importantly, the day was used to
and physical dialogues took place in 3 districts
the need for the government to double down
Mayuge- Eastern Uganda,
on its efforts to increase awareness on male
Kasese district -
Western Uganda and Adjumani in West Nile) with the main summit in the capital, Kampala to discuss the role of young people in relation
More
highlight
involvement in family planning.
Commemoration of 16 Days of Activism
to SRHR. The youth summit highlighted the importance of an enabling policy environment
With the support of the United
to support youth leaders to continue their work
Population Fund - Uganda under the Women,
around sexual reproductive health with the
Adolescents and Youth Rights Empowerment
actualisation of the National sexuality education
(WAY) Programme, RAHU held activities to
framework,
comprehensive
increase awareness around GBV, bring services
sexuality education and the passing of the
(Family Planning close to Communities). Over 10
national school health policy.
Days, in 10 districts in West Nile and the Acholi
reconsidering
Nations
Subregions ie Amuru, Agago, Adjumani, Moyo,
Commemoration of World Vasectomy Day (20th November)
Obongi, Yumbe, Arua, Madi Okollo , dialogues on prevention were held with rights bearers and
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
duty bearers and 10 community outreaches In order to support men at the forefront of
held in Kitgum, Lamwo, respectively brought
family planning as users and supporters and
psychosocial services closer to communities.
champions
of modern contraception we
Awareness activities through radio talk shows,
commemorated the world vasectomy in Kasese
drama skits, community drives were conducted
district under the UDECIDE Kasese project .
to contribute to efforts towards a gender and
The celebrations involved various activities
sexual violence free Uganda. We reached 1,632
which included Champions who are satisfied
people with SRHR information.
users holding talks with men to normalise 28
RUTH NAMUTEBI POSITIVE LIVING: REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE
Ruth
Elizabeth
Namutebi,
a
29-year-old
This has, however, not deterred her from
Architectural Draftsman and HIV activist shares
becoming an activist who volunteers with
how she has faced and withstood stigma after
Reach a Hand Uganda and also now runs an
she found out her status at 13 years old. Since
NGO named after her late mother, Daria Kayitesi
then, from school to her professional life, she
Safe Space that aims at addressing problems
has faced rejection and discrimination for being
surrounding HIV/AIDs stigma.
born with HIV. Namutebi reveals that she has been denied
and I would rather teach people how to deal
several opportunities such as study scholarships
with it, that is what the NGO is looking at, “she
because of her HIV status.
explains.
“I tried applying for scholarships that were
She adds that the NGO involves reaching out to
fully funded but they would decline. I want a
young adults living with HIV as much as possible
scholarship to upgrade from a diploma to a
to give them psycho-social support.
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
“The stigma is something that is not going away
degree. “I lost my mother in 1999 to HIV at the age of Before the application process, I would send my
seven while a primary one pupil,” she narrates
results to ask if my results were okay. I did that
and knows first hand the emotional needs that
for three countries like Turkey, China. I went for
her peers living with the same would need. She
these countries because they are affordable.
and her sister were raised by their dad with the help of a paternal aunt.
29
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
Life at School
“After I shared with a friend, before the day ended another girl knew about my HIV status
“I got to know the truth that I was born with HIV
which spread to the entire school,” she says.
in May 2007 when I was 13 years in senior two
“The entire school was gossiping about me
when I had started falling sick,” she reveals. “I
which pushed me to a state of depression.”
remember my aunt taking me to the balcony of her incomplete house and breaking the news.”
“I was living in denial, hated my mother and
Namutebi says while in senior one, she didn’t
wished she terminated me. On several occasions
understand why the doctors prescribed septrin.
I would question my existence,” she adds.
It was later that she got to know that they first start with septrin before being introduced to
Namutebi says the most hurting part was of
Antiretroviral drugs (ARVS).
fellow students thinking that she had contracted HIV through sleeping around which made her
“According to school rules, anyone who had
isolate herself from school.
medicine had to keep it at the dispensary. So, whenever, it was time for swallowing my
“Eventually, I intentionally stopped attending
medicine, the nurse would ask me questions,
classes mostly the biology classes faking that
which I didn’t have answers for because I had
I was sick,” she said. “Each time the teacher
not yet confirmed my status,” she shares.
discussed about diseases, such as HIV, it made me feel terrible because everyone would turn
In third term senior one, she very fell sick which
and look at me.”
got her transferred from St Lawrence Ssonde, a boarding school to Muyenga High school, a day school under the doctor’s prescription.
In Senior Five second term she changed to a new school, Kakungulu Memorial School, Kibuli with hopes of starting a new life by putting
“They thought if I start taking the Antiretroviral
behind rejection and stigma. However, this did
drugs I will be weak, so they brought me to a
not last because students from her previous
closer school so that they can monitor me,”
school also joined.
she shares. ‘I was taken to a nearby school in Muyenga, which made my life better because
“They began telling whoever cared to listen
it is near International Hospital Kampala (IHK),
about my status especially the classmate I was
where I would go for my routine checkup.”
dating at that time whom they thought didn’t
Namutebi says luckily she didn’t experience any
know,” she says.
of that and by second term she started studying. The HIV activist says that is when she knew she ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Stigma
had to stop running away from her problems and face them. Namutebi says with her boyfriend
“The news of my HIV status hit me so hard
they had a good relationship after they agreed
that I started seeking acceptance and I badly
to abstain. “For the first time someone really
needed a shoulder to cry on,” Namutebi reveals.
loved me. Unfortunately, our relationship did not
This is where she ended up confiding in a friend
work out because his mother disapproved after
who failed to keep the secret which marked the
getting to know about my status,” she reveals.
beginning of my struggles with stigma at school. 30
“Also at that time, my sister was admitted in the
Namutebi says she is still pursuing her dream
hospital which made me lose concentration as
of upgrading to an architecture degree course.
I juggled between school and checking up on
However, because of lack of enough finances,
her,” she says. “I ended up performing poorly in
this is why she has resorted to applying for
Senior Six.”
scholarships in different countries.
Namutebi says architecture was always her
Upon failure to be accepted, Namutebi says
dream course, but given the 12 points she had
she has turned to writing to influential people,
scored, the universities could not admit her on
like Winnie Byanyima, the former Speaker
either government or private sponsored degree
of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, the Youth
course.
Minister Robinah Nakiwala Kiyingi, the rotary International president among others. The
Not willing to give up on her dream course, she
HIV activist says she still has hope that one of
says a gentleman called Ananais Semusu, her
them will respond positively and her dream of a
mentor advised her to apply for a government
degree course will turn to a reality.
sponsored diploma at an institute called Uganda technical college in Masindi.
Currently, Namutebi says she works from home where she relies on architecture projects that
After being admitted, Namutebi says she
come along.
I left, I was known for being good at architectural
Also because of the way she was treated at
software,” she reveals. “I have worked with
school, the activist now seeks to help people
several architectural firms on different projects
in such her situation. “I have been hosted in
and I have learnt a lot.” Namutebi says the same
schools, churches and clubs narrating my story
stigma followed her to tertiary level where
and I have seen people’s lives change. I hope
people would still discourage fellow students to
to become an influential motivational speaker,
be my friends. However, she managed to deal
share my story worldwide to end stigma, as well
with the situation because by that time she had
as motivate young adults,” she reveals. She is
fully accepted and embraced her status.
also attended the mentorship class to help her
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
purposed to make every day count. “By the time
gain the necessary skills to make better her craft. 31
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
workers, district officials and the police on the
RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BUILDING
other to solicit their experiences and expert opinions on the nature of service delivery. The youth champions with the support of the M&E team then deduce possible recommendations
Evidence and Research
for all the targeted stakeholders.
To support advocacy efforts with stakeholders
Under the WAY programme, a report highlighting
and to design effective interventions around COVID-19 and SRHR, RAHU conducted social
Kitgum, Lamwo, Moyo, Mado-okollo Obongi and
Rapid assessment of Barriers of accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Sexual and Gender Based Violence services for pregnant and lactating mothers during COVID-19
to the stakeholders in district Share 101s.
At the height of COVID 19 RAHU with funding from
Jinja. A report on observations during COVID
Yumbe in 2019 was published and disseminated
districts to conduct a rapid assessment of Barriers of accessing SRHR and S&GBV services for pregnant and lactating mothers during COVID 19. The report highlighted key issues on the state of access to SRHR and S&GBV. The assessment informed our interventions to reduce the effects of interrupted quality essential health service delivery, particularly in ensuring prevention of maternal and infant deaths, continuity of Family planning, Antenatal Care, Skilled and clean delivery, immunization services and GBV response services. The assessment was conducted in West Nile, Acholi,
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
in the districts of Adjumani, Agago, Amuru, Arua,
accountability surveys including;
the United Nations Population Fund, supported
Additionally, Under the GUSO programme a report highlighting results from surveys conducted by peer educators in 2019 was published and disseminated to stakeholders in Mayuge and 19 was also
highlighting the findings was
also developed and shared to support decision making of the targeted stakeholders.
Impact report on SRHR as a result of COVID-19 In the wake of COVID 19, RAHU conducted a survey on the impact of COVID19 on young people’s access to information and services. The online survey (due to COVID 19 restrictions) sought to establish how young people were coping with the COVID19 and the extent to which the measures had affected their access
Lango, western and Karamoja sub-regions.
to SRHR information.
Youth led social accountability surveys
The survey also sought to identify viable
Youth champions and Peer educators
on Sexual reproductive Health and Rights. The
are
charged with monitoring the state of service delivery in their areas of operation or sub counties in their respective districts. This process is structured through periodical
surveys with
stakeholders i.e. youth on one hand and health 32
findings from surveys conducted by champions
avenues to reverse some of the effects of COVID report majorly influenced RAHU programming at the height of the lock down, and some of the recommendations were cascaded down to sub county level.
The findings were also presented to stakeholders at the Fourth Annual Forum of the Community of Practice Utafiti Na Kutenda under the theme, “Sustaining SRHR Gains and Momentum in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities” Imperial Royale to support knowledge sharing and
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
learning.
33
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP
YOUTH REPRESENTATION
RAHU is on the Uganda Family Planning Consortium (UFPC) board. In 2020, RAHU was officially voted to represent adolescents and youth on the Uganda Family Planning Consortium (UFPC) board. We are thrilled to be part of a united voice in advocating for an effective response to Family Planning, Reproductive Health needs as well as overall sexual and reproductive health and rights in Uganda. The UFPC platform provides a unique platform to consolidate our grassroot advocacy efforts at a national level RAHU was also appointed the Vice chairperson of the Knowledge Management Task Committee under UFPC. RAHU is excited to share its expertise on acknowledgement with the other organisations under the consortium.
RAHU is on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance board •
After a great partnership with SRHR Alliance Uganda, we are officially members of the Alliance Board. We are committed to ensuring young people are at the forefront of the SRHR discourse in Uganda and this will be exemplified by our active participation on the board representing
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
views solicited from our day to day work •
Our Founder and CEO Humphrey is among the Top 40 African Diversity and Inclusion Inspiring Youth
34
Humphrey Nabimanya, has done a lot of tremendous things to ensure young people are at the top of the SRHR agenda. In 2020, Humphrey made the list of the African Diversity and Inclusion Top 40 Inspiring Youth across the continent. The list celebrates Africans working to make the continent a better place for all its citizens, regardless of their race, colour, religion or sexual orientation. Full list here!
35
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
EDUTAINMENT
OUR CORE PROGRAMMING IN 2020
EDUTAINMENT
Launch of SAUTIplus TV We launched the
SAUTIplus TV streaming
platform in May 2020. The online platform is one of the latest additions to the SAUTIplus ecosystem and can be accessed easily on a smartphone, computer, or tablet. SAuti plus TV is redefining how young people access and consume content that educates, inspires, and empowers young people to make better life decisions. Currently the platform streams our flagship TV drama series Kyaddala: Its Real
Reproductive Health and Rights information messages to the viewers.
Performing Arts Conference The COVID19 pandemic had severe effects on the performing arts sector in Uganda - which
Kyaddala; its Real Season II launch.
RAHU and social agents leverage to provide
In 2019, we premiered Kyaddala: its Real season
is quite important as young people are easily
highlighted key SRHR issues affecting young people. The series aired locally on NBS television has contributed to influencing the narrative about SRHR issues that affect young people, such as teenage pregnancy, gender based violence, drug abuse and many others. In 2020, we launched Kyaddala: its Real Season 2 drama series which will embody similar topics but with a keen interest on key advocacy messages. At the launch, we explored the role of TV and film in inspiring significant social change and impact ANNUAL REPORT 2020
members and partners joined in to give Sexual
Season 1 and MTV Shuga series among others.
1 a pan African edutainment series which
is a conduit through which organisations like information on key social issues . The sector influenced by the actions of those that occupy these spaces. It is against this background, RAHU organised a Performing Artists’ conference on 15th October, 2020, that brought together musicians, artist managers, comedians, actors and other performers to forge a way forward on how to sustain social change efforts alongside their livelihoods . The day’s discussions focused on Social change, Financial Management, Intellectual Property, Earning from Digital Distribution and Personal
including around SRH.
Branding.
With You at Home concerts
stakeholders.
During lock down we held virtual concerts to
information on how they can enterprise and
engage young people during the lockdown through edutainment. Through music, the cultural icons provided information about contraceptives and young people can stay safe 36
during the pandemic. During the concerts, staff
Featuring
Ugandan
Musicians,
comedians, regulatory bodies and different The
conference
equipped
these performing artists with knowledge and thrive amidst the pandemic through redefining how the arts and how artists can protect, create better content and maximize their gain through different avenues beyond COVID19.
37
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
2020 RAHU INCOMES RECOGNISED DONOR INCOME
LOCALLY FUNDRAISED INCOME
6,555,949,708
200,000,000
ANNUAL REPOP RR T T2 02 20 02 0
2020 RAHU INCOMES RECOGNISED DONOR INCOME
97%
6,555,949,708
LOCALLY FUNDRAISED INCOME
3%
200,000,000
TOTAL
38
100%
6,755,949,708
ADVISORY BOARD
W
e got a new Advisory Board! This year, we appointed our new Advisory Board, a team of exceptional individuals from different spheres of expertise who provide guidance in planning and oversight to the organisation. From Uganda, to Kenya and the United States, there is
great expertise and representation of young people and those living with disabilities for more inclusivity. Please check out the list of our new Advisory Board and learn more about what they do bring on board as we continue to undergo a very instrumental strategic plan development phase. See the list here
Dr. Enid Mbabazi
Gwennie Kategaya
Member
Member
Joy Doreen Biira
Lori M. Adelman
Noeline Ondoru
Member
Member
Member
Omukungu Joseph Kigozi
Sylver Kyagulanyi
Chairperson
Secretary
YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
https://reachahand.org/our-team/advisory-board/
39
Plot 7502, Block 244 - Kitaranga, Kansanga - Ggaba Road P.O. Box 21288, Kampala - Uganda Tel: +256 (0) 414 697 037 Email: info@reachahand.org Web: www.reachahand.org