EPF organised in partnership with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), a five-day tour, from 14-18 April 2025, for Parliamentary Assistants to Members of the European Parliament to provide them with first-hand experiences into Uganda’s SRHR landscape. The delegation includes Murielle Postuma (APA to MEP Marit Maij, Netherlands), Jakub Ratajczak (APA to MEP Krzysztof Śmiszek, Poland), Margot Vrijhoeven (APA to MEP Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Netherlands), Bernard Krzyżowski (APA to MEP Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Poland), Sara Marie Stäender (APA to MEP Erik Marquardt, Germany), Tamar Khatchadourian (APA to MEP Heléne Fritzon, Sweden), and Katarzyna Ozon (APA to MEP Robert Biedroń, Poland).
Day 1: Ugandan SRHR Context
The delegation’s journey began in Kampala with a stakeholder dialogue exploring Uganda’s national SRHR framework. Participants included government officials, parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and international partners. Key voices such as Jackson Chekweko (Executive Director, RHU), Dr Jotham Musinguzi (Board Member, RHU), and Dr Richard Mugahi (Commissioner for Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health) discussed challenges and policy priorities. Contributions from the EU Delegation and UNFPA Uganda highlighted the importance of donor cooperation and collective action. Delegates also visited RHU’s Moonlight Star Clinic in Bwaise, an overpopulated slum area. The clinic offers respectful, stigma-free SRHR services, representing a critical lifeline for marginalised groups, including sex workers and LGBTQ people. Through emotional testimonies, community members illustrated the impact of inclusive, community-based healthcare in fighting discrimination and systemic neglect.
Day 2: SRHR Access in Underserved Regions
On the second day, the delegation travelled to Tororo District, one of Uganda’s poorest regions, where maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence are widespread. After meeting with local leadership, the group visited Mudakor Health Centre III, a public clinic supported by RHU. The facility offers essential services, including family planning, cancer screenings, and STI testing, with a strong emphasis on education and informed choice. Beneficiaries shared personal stories illustrating how access to contraception has transformed their lives by empowering women to build stable futures and encouraging men to take active roles in family planning.
Day 3: Youth Engagement
Youth-focused programming took centre stage on day three of the tour. In the Busia District, the delegation engaged with local leaders, youth advocates, and SRHR providers. Discussions highlighted the obstacles faced by young people, particularly girls, in accessing reproductive health care. Later in Namayingo District, delegates joined a field activity at Bumooli Health Centre III, where peer educators led an engaging game on family planning and relationships. The session created a safe, participatory environment to address sensitive topics and promote male responsibility in reproductive health. Stories of male champions, youth educators, and community innovators illustrated how locally led solutions are creating pathways for change.
Day 4: Maternal Health
Returning to Kampala, the group visited a UNFPA-supported maternal health clinic, part of the Safe Birth Africa project. Focused on preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the clinic exemplifies the power of targeted medical training, innovation, and international cooperation. At RHU headquarters, the delegation also met with young SRHR activists who shared their experiences running school and community programmes, leading online campaigns, and working through national helplines. They talked about the importance of youth inclusion in SRHR decision-making and showcased the potential of technology and AI in expanding access to information and care.