Uganda in 2024
The need
Uganda has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in East Africa, standing at 24%. A significant unmet need for sexual and reproductive healthcare in Uganda has led to high rates of unintended pregnancies, school dropouts, unsafe abortions and maternal mortality. Among sexually active women aged 15 to 19, 34% have an unmet need for modern contraception, resulting in over 400,000 unsafe abortions between 2015 and 2019. In terms of HIV/AIDS, adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected, with an HIV infection rate four times higher than that of boys in the same age group, with girls accounting for two-thirds of all new HIV infections. Moreover, testing among adolescents remains low, resulting in a high number of cases going undetected and untreated. In Uganda, sexual and gender-based violence is a significant issue, with high prevalence rates, particularly among women. Official data indicates that over half of girls and women aged 15-59 have experienced physical and/or intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime.
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Our work in Uganda
Ugandan operations began in 2021, with a primary focus on adolescent girls and young women but with some interventions addressing boys and young men. Our work focuses on scaling and deepening service integrations within the Kampala District and diversifying our offering to include mental health services in addition to sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable youth. The programme is strengthened by Young Adolescent Peer Supporters who enrol young people in the community onto Tiko, and also offer services directly, bridging the gap between health facilities and clients. These Young Adolescent Peer Supporters are HIV+ between the ages of 18 and 22 years are are carefully selected, trained and assigned specific roles at a public health facility and within the community.
Public-private partnerships are a key element of our sustainability. We are easing the burden of delivery through the public sector in Uganda with expansion into the private sector to address the gaps. In 2024, we strengthened partnerships with government institutions through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with both the Mukono and Wakiso districts.
The Tiko ecosystem in Uganda
296
Mobilisers
54
Health Service
Providers
46
Local Retailers
Testimonial
Shakira
21, Kampala
I’m happy I got tested for HIV. I now know my status and can take care of myself. What I like most about Tiko is that it respects my privacy.
