Member Associations

The people of Uganda face urgent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, with high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and unmet needs for contraception presenting some of the most immediate and life-threatening risks. Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), formerly the Family Planning Association of Uganda, was established in 1957. It now provides services in 29 of the country’s districts through 768 service points: 17 static clinics, 74 mobile facilities, 35 associated clinics and a network of hundreds of community-based distributors/community-based services (CBDs/CBSs). RHU's comprehensive range of services include family planning, the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections and post-abortion care. The work is led by a full-time staff of 19, supported by nearly 4,000 volunteers. These include 56 community-based distributors, 118 peer educators and a Youth Action Movement which has nearly 1,000 members. An estimated 98% of RHU's clients are poor, marginalized, socially excluded and/or under-served. Target groups include internally displaced persons, young women in conflict-affected areas, sex workers, hawkers, saloonists, bicycle taxi operators and maids.  RHU undertakes high level advocacy work. At present, advocating for policies and government action to end female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of its top priorities.  RHU runs training schemes for other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and health professionals. RHU representatives sit on the government’s SRH advisory board and RHU has played a critical role in shaping, developing and implementing policies on gender, adolescent reproductive health, domestic relations, safe motherhood, and private partnerships for health. RHU provides technical assistance to IPPF Member Associations (MAs) in Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Namibia and Rwanda. RHU works with an immense range of NGOs and private sector organizations and it receives funding and support from over 20 different donors based locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The organization is a national convenor: bringin together a broad range of agencies in Uganda which are engaged in campaigning and delivering services to coordinate work and synthesize efforts within the country for maximum impact.   Contacts Website: www.rhu.or.ug Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhuganda Twitter: https://twitter.com/RHUganda

Associação Para o Planeamento da Família (APF) is a vibrant and dynamic Member Association which has played a key role in advancing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) agenda in the country. It has 10 regional delegations operated by volunteer staff, and works closely with health and education professionals, and with professionals engaged in community intervention, particularly with reference to the SRH needs of young people. Information, education, training and advocacy are central to APF’s work. APF runs programmes in fields such as sexual orientation, early pregnancy and motherhood, teenage parenthood, abortion, contraception, male SRH, and the prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS. The Member Association played a crucial role in a long campaign to legalize abortion in the country. A bill to allow abortions up until the 10thweek of pregnancy finally received parliamentary approval in 2007. APF manages a resource centre, which has an extensive library of information and publications on SRH. It operates a telephone helpline (Sexuality Online) which provides information, support, counselling and referral services for young people, and a second helpline dedicated to assisting individuals in need of advice over unwanted pregnancy. Over the years, the Member Association’s service delivery and advocacy work has made an invaluable contribution to improvements in SRH and maternal and child health and to contraceptive awareness, understanding and use. It has also helped to produce a significant reduction in numbers of teenage pregnancies.     Contacts Website: www.apf.pt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apfamilia