Immunization for All Children continues: HEPS-Uganda Continues its Legacy in Kakikoba Village

From us,

Immunization outreaches continue; HEPS-UGANDA@25 In collaboration with Nakawala Health Centre III, we are conducting an integrated outreach in Kakikoba Village, Kamusongole Parish, Kasambya sub-county. We continue our unwavering mission of supporting the immunization of every child in Kiboga, Mubende, and Kyankwanzi Districts, ensuring their right to health is met. 

    

Photo by Heps staff                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     National Dialogue on Affordable Medicines: HEPS-Uganda@25 took part in the National Dialogue on Affordable Medicines and Health Products in Uganda, held on 24th June under the theme: “Understanding the Impact of the Ongoing Funding Crisis and the Fragile Health Care System on Access to Medicines and Diagnostics.” During the dialogue, our Executive Director, Kenneth Mwehonge, said, “Access to essential medicines and diagnostics is deeply threatened by an unstable global funding environment. Even with heavy US contributions, there were already gaps in supply (except for ARVs), with 70% of essential medicines relying on donors. This reliance makes healthcare systems vulnerable, especially when funding gets cut, as seen with recent US policy changes.  Pharmaceutical suppliers often abandon markets when new regulations don’t suit them, compounding the issue. We need to find ways to gain leverage with these suppliers and build more resilient, self-sufficient health systems to ensure consistent access to vital medical supplies, regardless of fluctuating donor support or supplier interests.❞

Photo by HEPS-UGANDA staff

Mortality Surveillance Guideline- HEPS-Uganda@25 is representing Civil Society Organisations at the ongoing one-week Mortality Surveillance Guideline development organized by the Ministry of Health and Baylor. Stakeholders include NIRA, Uganda Police, MoH departments, Uganda Funeral Services, Uganda Cancer Institute, District Health Team, UPDF, KCCA, Baylor, and Uganda National Institute of Public Health. 

Photo by HEPS-UGANDA staff

RMNCH++ Nutrition stakeholders meeting: HEPS-UGANDA@25 participated in the RMNCAH+ Nutrition CSO Stakeholders’ Meeting under the theme: “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Coordination, Accountability and Youth Engagement in Integrated RMNCAH, Nutrition, SRHR, HIV and TB Programming.The meeting brought together key actors in the health and human rights space to reimagine how collaborative efforts can drive better outcomes for communities across Uganda.

From our partners

CEHURD– Center for Health, Human Rights and Development participated in the 8th RHRNK Pan-African Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Scientific Conference, held from June 24th to 27th, 2025, in Mombasa, Kenya. The conference, themed “Adolescent and Youth SRHR in a World of Emerging Threats and Opportunities,” served as a platform for leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to come together and push forward efforts to improve access to SRHR services for young people across the African continent.

From your community

Lira takes the lead as sickle cell cases rise in northern Uganda

Dr. Bernard Otucu, the Lira city health officer, revealed that the city now bears the burden of Uganda’s sickle cell burden, with a significant number of cases originating in rural districts and ending up at Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH). Most patients come from rural areas, yet testing is only available at LRRH. We appeal to the Ministry of Health and partners to install a testing machine at Ober Health Center IV to ease access and reduce congestion, says Dr. Bernard Otucu. At LRRH, the statistics are alarming, says Dr. Andrew Odur, hospital director of LRRH, the facility’s sickle cell clinic has enrolled over 1,400 children, 80% of whom are already receiving hydroxyurea, a life-saving medication. 

Over 130 community Health workers were commissioned to tackle sanitation in Nakasongola. Malaria and HIV in Nakasongola. The Ministry of Health has commissioned 136 community Health Extension Workers in Nakasongola district, tasking them with transforming grassroots health care and tackling pressing public health issues ranging from poor sanitation to high malaria and HIV rates, During the commissioning ceremony, Permen secretary Dr. Diana Atwine urged the newly deployed CHEWS to prioritize improving hygiene at the household level; particularly rural and lakeshore communities.

From Uganda

Uganda Launches first National guidelines for sickle cell management

The guidelines were officially launched during national sickle cell commemoration events held at the Mayor’s Garden in Lira city last week. They aim to standardise diagnosis, care, and community sensitisation efforts amid growing concern about cultural practices, low screening rates, and health system strain. Health Minister Dr. Jane Acen described the development as a landmark moment in Uganda’s fight against the disease.

From the region

US aid­ cuts curb journalists’ access to vital health data in Africa

The suspension of the USAID-funded Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program has created a vacuum in the infrastructure of evidence-based development in over 90 low- and middle-income countries – including 40 countries in Africa – where it has tracked health-related data for the past 40 years. The program has been caught up in the U.S. foreign aid cuts ordered in January by the Trump administration. “DHS is one of the few consistent, credible, and publicly accessible data sources we have that journalists, researchers, and civil society can rely on,” said NBS Television health journalist Henry Mugenyi, who has used DHS data extensively in his reporting, especially on maternal health, HIV prevalence, child nutrition, and family planning access in Uganda.

Global health security

Zambia halts HIV vaccine trial after U.S. withdraws funding

Health authorities in Zambia have halted a planned clinical trial for an HIV vaccine after the United States withdrew funding for the project, local media reports. In January, the National Biosafety Authority approved a clinical trial of an HIV vaccine to be conducted by the Center for Family Health Research in Zambia (CFHRZ), with funding from USAID. However, William Kilembe, project director at the CFHRZ, confirmed that the trial was halted in February due to the lack of funding from USAID.

MPOX: African deaths surpass 1,800 amid health emergencies

The death toll from Africa’s ongoing Mpox outbreak has surpassed 1,800, as the number of cases reported since the beginning of 2024 approaches the 150,000 mark, according to the Africa CDC. In a media briefing, Ngashi Ngongo, the Executive Office at Africa CDC, said that 26 Mpox-affected African countries have reported 148,308 cases since the start of last year. The agency showed that last week alone, the continent reported 2,715 new cases, including 822 confirmed ones and 20 new related deaths.

Millions of children at risk as vaccine uptake stalls

Progress in vaccinating children against a variety of life-threatening diseases has stalled in the past two decades – and even gone backwards in some countries – a new global study suggests. The situation has been made worse by the COVID pandemic, leaving millions of children unprotected from diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, and polio. The researchers are calling for a concerted effort to provide better and more equal access to vaccines. Child health experts warn that cuts to international aid budgets that fund vaccination programmes, combined with vaccine scepticism, are creating a “perfect storm”.