This issue examines the use of communication in partnerships and linkages between social development organizations in Uganda. Focus is on the areas of HIV/AIDS, Women, and Children. Drawn from a paper commissioned from consultant - Rosamond Bakari. Click here to view Full Paper.
CONTEXT
1. Uganda has 16.6 million people with a 2.5% annual population growth rate. 90% work in rural areas. Urban growth rate is higher than population growth rate. 46% live in poverty. This has attracted over 2,000 national and international social development organizations, 50% the HIV/AIDS sector. The current national prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is about 12%. Many development organizations acknowledge that communication is an important part of their work. Most have yet to formalize and coordinate partnerships and linkages in an ongoing strategy. The HIV/AIDS sector is the strongest in communications; government policy has ensured that communication at all levels is an integral component.
2. Development of a Social Movement - The severity and scale of the social issues, including HIV/AIDS, demand a social movement approach to communication in Uganda. One core element of every social movement is the development of linkages between organisations and communities with similar interests. Developing those linkages is at the heart of strategy for many organisations. The public engagement, debate, dialogue and action that result is regarded by many as a major contributing factor to succesful action on HIV/AIDS and other issues. HIV rates have been significantly reduced in urban areas and have stabalized in rural areas. The percentage of pregnant women infected with HIV has declined from 30% to 10%. In the sector of Children, costs have been minimised, duplication avoided and local participation has been increased. Women's organisations have found success building coalitions around specific issues and events. However, there are obstacles, including competition for funding, which can lead to a reluctance to share information.
HIV/AIDS
3. AIDS Control Programme (ACP) - established within the Ministry of Health to pursue partners at international, national and community levels. ACP had 5 main approaches including: an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign; STD control and prevention; blood monitoring; spiritual, physical and medical care and support; and infection control through trend analysis. Strategies included leaflets, radio and newspaper advertisements in English and local languages, TV programmes, public meetings, and personal contact. A collaborative approach was used with partners to develop a common strategy. Contact Dr. Joshua Musinguzi tel: 256 41 340874 ext 248.
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4. The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) - set up by a small number of people who were either infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. As a partner of ACP, TASO works in 7 districts providing basic counseling and nursing skills to family members of people infected by HIV/AIDS, setting up counseling centers, establishing day centers that provide income-generating activities, and sponsoring HIV/AIDS orphans. TASO has links with regional and international organizations for exchange of information and data. Contact Sophia Mukasa Monico tasodata@imul.com
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5. AIDS Information Center (AIC) - a voluntary anonymous HIV testing body providing counseling services for 50,000 people a year. AIC strategies include leaflets, radio and newspaper advertisements. Currently AIC has centers in 22 districts working with grassroots groups. A post-test club, giving social and medical support in the form of linkages between individuals and organisations, as well as ongoing counseling and training for peer educators, condom promoters and reproductive health volunteers, is aimed at everyone who has been tested, regardless of the result. Contact Josephine Kalule tel: 256 41 347603.
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6. National Community of Women Living With HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA) - is a support and advocacy group. Women are provided with health information and advice, training in income-generating activities for independence, and a quarterly newsletter. NACWOLA acknowledges that they became "established" through their early linkages with other NGOs. They have formed a partnership with TASO for "The Memory Project," which aims to help women and their children discuss AIDS and death openly, make plans for the children's future, and save family histories and childhood memories by writing them down. Contact Beatrice Were nacwola@infocom.ug
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7. Uganda AIDS Commission - the national coordinating body for all HIV/AIDS activities. Provides leadership, ensures fulfillment of the National Plan, and holds regular meetings to find out who is doing what, avoid duplication, and encourage collaboration. Produced a National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS Activities that covers a 5-year period. Devised a general strategy with adaptations to meet the needs of target groups through planning meetings with international, national, religious, community, public and private organizations and sectors. Contact Rosemary Mwesigwa tel: 256 41 273538/273231.
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WOMEN
8. Uganda Women's Network (UWONET) - leader of the women's coalition on the Domestic Relations Bill (DRB), which consolidates all family related laws into 1 statute. A strategy for raising awareness about the DRB was formulated through collaboration among the Network's members. This included press conferences and statements, feature articles, letters of support sent to government officials, leaflets and pamphlets, workshops and public meetings. Contact Sheila Kawamara uwonet@starcom.co.ug
9. Ministry of Gender, Labor & Social Development - implements the National Gender Policy. Actively seeks partners for training, technical services, advice and special events. Relies on a quarterly newsletter as main communication with organizations, individuals and the media. Provides "low key" support to the campaign for the DRB. Contact Julianna Kuruhiira tel: 256 41 251401/347854/5
10. Akina Mama Wa Afrika - a London-based pan-african NGO providing leadership training for women. Gained international support for DRB through an international conference. Strategy includes newspaper ads for events and publications aimed at individuals and groups. Partnerships are informal, relying on collaboration through coalitions. Contact Sandra Okoed gracia@imul.com
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11. FIDA Uganda - The Association of Female Lawyers - a voluntary NGO actively pursuing linkages with individuals and groups, especially in rural areas, to change the inferior status of women. Believes the fight to eradicate poverty and give women equal rights are the same. FIDA advocates for individual women, educates and listens to community groups, lobbies for legislative reform, runs legal clinics in 4 districts, provides legal advice, runs a legal/credit service and a mobile legal aid clinic. They hold legal education seminars in collaboration with community groups and leaders. Contact Keith Kibirango fida-ug@starcom.co.ug
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CHILDREN
12. National Council for Children - coordinates, monitors and collaborates with groups and agencies working with children. Set up the Early Childhood Development Technical Forum that involves government and NGOs in a monthly meeting to review policy and make recommendations. The Council has its own strategy of press releases on government policies, but its main role is advocacy for children and partnerships with programmes. Contact Hilda Nankunda ncc@infocom.co.ug
13. Redd Barna - Norwegian Save the Children - an emergency relief organization that began by working with children affected by HIV/AIDS, and now works with those who have been sexually or economically exploited, affected by conflict and living on the street. It assists children in accessing the welfare system and provides out-of-school children with income-generating activities and counseling. Its policy is to always work in partnership with other organizations. Has established agreements with national groups and NGOs based on information sharing, funding and training. Contact Benon Webara tel: 25641341714/341693.
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14. Straight Talk Foundation - targets adolescents with a message of communication for better health. Produces 2 monthly newspapers - "Straight Talk" for ages 15 to 24, and "Young Talk" for ages 10 to 14 that include information about reproductive and sexual health, and broadcasts a weekly radio show by and for youth. Distributes publications to NGOs and community groups to forge links. Has formal linkages with universities, the Ministry of Health, 3 other NGOs, and secondary schools around the country. Contact Catherine Watson strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug
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