Introduction: A Milestone Moment for SRHR Advocacy
On March 8, 2025, as the world marked International Women’s Day, the Usawa Health Initiative, in collaboration with the Makerere University Medical Students’ Association (MUMSA), hosted a pivotal dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. This event was more than a gathering—it was a call to action, a platform for education, and a celebration of youth and young women, girls and youth in advancing access to SRHR information and services. Held from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the dialogue brought together students, medical professionals, and advocates to confront pressing SRHR issues head-on, with a carefully curated program designed to inform, inspire, and ignite change.
The timing couldn’t have been more symbolic. International Women’s Day 2025 carried a global resonance, and at Makerere University, this resonance translated into a focused discussion on the role of young people in shaping their sexual and reproductive health futures. The program guide—featuring a lineup of esteemed facilitators like Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Dr. Solomon Kimera, Dr. Mutunga Godfrey, Dr Ben, Dr. Newton Allan, and Dr. Henry Kaweesi — promised a morning of robust discourse, and it delivered. This blog post chronicles that day, weaving together the key messages, session highlights, and the collective spirit that defined this landmark event.
For the Usawa Health Initiative, this dialogue was a testament to our mission: ensuring that SRHR isn’t just a conversation but a lived reality for Uganda’s youth.
The Day Begins: Arrival and Anticipation
The dialogue kicked off at 8:00 AM with the arrival and registration of attendees, expertly coordinated by the Usawa Health Initiative and MUMSA teams. The air buzzed with anticipation as students, health advocates, and community members filed into the venue, their chatter a mix of excitement and curiosity. Makerere University, a historic center of learning and activism, provided the perfect backdrop — a space where ideas have long been nurtured and revolutions sparked. The registration process was seamless, setting a tone of efficiency and purpose throughout the day.
By 9:30 AM, the room was full, and the event officially began with opening remarks facilitated by MUMSA and Usawa representatives. These remarks weren’t mere formalities but a rallying cry, framing the dialogue as a youth-led movement. A pre-session evaluation followed, a thoughtful touch that allowed organizers to gauge attendees’ baseline knowledge and expectations. This wasn’t just about talking at participants; it was about engaging them, understanding their perspectives, and tailoring the day’s insights to their realities.
Keynote Address: Dr. Sabrina Kitaka on Youth and SRHR
At 9:15 AM, Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, a towering figure in adolescent health, took the stage for the keynote address: “Role of Youths in Advancing SRHR.” For the next 30 minutes, she held the audience captive with her blend of expertise, empathy, and urgency. As a pediatrician who has spent decades championing young people’s health, Dr. Kitaka framed SRHR as a youth issue—not because of statistics alone, but because of agency. She argued that young people aren’t passive recipients of health services; they’re drivers of change, capable of dismantling stigma, demanding access, and reshaping policies.
Her address was a masterclass in motivation. She highlighted the unique position of Uganda’s youth—over 75% of the population under 30—and their potential to influence SRHR outcomes. Dr. Kitaka’s words weren’t abstract; they were grounded in the everyday struggles of young Ugandans: navigating cultural taboos, accessing reliable information, and asserting their rights in a world that often silences them. She set the stage for the day, planting a seed of empowerment that would grow through each subsequent session.
Breakfast Break: Fueling Minds and Conversations
At 9:45 AM, the dialogue paused for a 15-minute breakfast break, courtesy of MUMSA. This wasn’t just a logistical interlude—it was a moment of connection. Attendees mingled over tea, coffee, and bites, their conversations spilling over from Dr. Kitaka’s address. The break fostered a sense of community, a reminder that SRHR advocacy thrives on collaboration. By 10:00 AM, refreshed and recharged, participants returned to their seats, ready to dive into the technical sessions that would define the morning.
Session 1: Sex and STIs with Dr. Solomon Kimera
From 10:00 to 10:30 AM, Dr. Solomon Kimera tackled “Sex and STIs,” a topic that cuts to the core of youth SRHR challenges. As a medical professional, Dr. Kimera brought a wealth of knowledge, likely drawing on Uganda’s high STI prevalence—particularly HIV, which disproportionately affects young people. His 30-minute session was a deep dive into the realities of sexual health: the risks of unprotected sex, the importance of testing, and the need for accessible treatment.
Dr. Kimera’s approach was frank yet compassionate. He probably debunked myths—like the notion that STIs are a mark of shame—while emphasizing prevention through education and open dialogue. For the students in the room, many of whom face these issues in their own lives or communities, this session was a wake-up call. It underscored a key message: sexual health isn’t a luxury—it’s a right, and knowledge is the first step to claiming it.
Session 2: Realities of Unsafe Abortions with Dr. Mutunga Godfrey
Next, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, Dr. Mutunga addressed “Realities of Unsafe Abortions; Abortion Stigma & Maternal Mortality.” This was a heavy but essential topic, given Uganda’s restrictive abortion laws and the resulting toll on young women. Dr. Mutunga, with his medical expertise, painted a vivid picture of the consequences: clandestine procedures, life-threatening complications, and a maternal mortality rate exacerbated by stigma and silence.
His session wasn’t just about statistics—it was about stories. He shared about some cases of young women whose lives were altered or lost due to unsafe abortions, driving home the human cost of limited SRHR access. Dr. Mutunga called out the stigma that forces women into the shadows, urging attendees to challenge it. For many, this was a moment of reckoning—a realization that SRHR isn’t abstract policy but a matter of survival.
Session 3: Contraceptives with Dr. Newton Allan
From 11:00 to 11:30 AM, Dr. Newton Allan tackled “Contraceptives: Myths and Misconceptions,” a session that hit at the heart of SRHR misinformation. In Uganda, where contraceptive use remains low among youth, myths abound: that condoms reduce masculinity, that pills cause infertility, or that contraception is only for married couples. Dr. Allan’s 30 minutes were a myth-busting marathon, likely blending science with practicality to empower attendees.
He walked through the options—condoms, pills, IUDs—explaining their efficacy and safety, while addressing cultural barriers head-on. For the young women and men in the room, this session was liberating. It offered clarity in a sea of confusion, reinforcing that contraception isn’t just about preventing pregnancy—it’s about choice, autonomy, and health. Dr. Allan’s message was clear: knowledge dispels fear, and access turns knowledge into power.
Session 4: Demographic Dividend with Dr. Ben
The final technical session, from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, saw Dr. Ben explored the “Demographic Dividend.” This topic tied SRHR to Uganda’s broader future, linking individual health choices to national prosperity. Dr. Ben explained how a youthful population—educated, healthy, and empowered—can drive economic growth, but only if SRHR barriers are addressed. High fertility rates, teenage pregnancies, and poor health outcomes, he might have argued, squander this potential.
His session was a bridge between the personal and the systemic, showing how contraceptives, STI prevention, and safe abortion access aren’t just individual wins—they’re investments in Uganda’s tomorrow. For attendees, this was a shift in perspective: SRHR isn’t just about “me” but about “we,” a collective stake in the nation’s trajectory.
Closing the Day: Reflection and Resolve
From 12:00 to 1:00 PM, the dialogue wrapped up with a post-session evaluation, closing remarks, and a group photo, facilitated by MUMSA and Usawa. The evaluation was a bookend to the morning’s pre-session survey, capturing shifts in understanding and commitment. Participants reflected on what they’d learned—from Dr. Kitaka’s call to action to Dr. Ben, vision of a thriving Uganda—and how they’d carry it forward.
The closing remarks, delivered with gravitas, thanked the facilitators, organizers, and attendees, while reiterating the day’s core message: youth are the heartbeat of SRHR progress. The group photo—a sea of smiling faces—sealed the moment, a visual testament to unity and purpose. As attendees dispersed, the energy lingered, a promise of action in the air.
Key Messages from the Dialogue
The Makerere University Dialogue distilled several urgent truths:
Youth Agency is Paramount: Dr. Kitaka’s keynote framed young people as change-makers, not just beneficiaries, in SRHR.
Education is Prevention: Dr. Kimera’s STI session showed that knowledge is the first line of defense against health risks.
Stigma Kills: Dr. Mutunga’s focus on unsafe abortions highlighted how silence and shame cost lives.
Choice Empowers: Dr. Allan’s contraceptive talk underscored that access to options is a cornerstone of autonomy.
SRHR Shapes Futures: Dr. Ben’s demographic dividend tied individual rights to collective prosperity.
Looking Ahead: The Usawa Commitment
The March 8, 2025, dialogue wasn’t an endpoint—it was a beginning. For the Usawa Health Initiative, it reinforced our resolve to amplify youth voices, expand SRHR access, and challenge systemic barriers. We’re already planning next steps: more dialogues, outreach programs, and partnerships with MUMSA and beyond. This day proved that when young people, experts, and advocates unite, the conversation shifts from “if” to “how.”
For Uganda’s youth, the message is resounding: your health matters, your rights matter, and your voice matters. The Makerere University Dialogue was a spark—now, it’s time to fan the flame.
Compiled by Dr Mutunga Godfrey
Advocacy officer
Usawa Health Initiative