Uganda

Date Started:

2010

Locations (incl. clinics and nearby communities):

New Clients Enrolled (2021):

154,461

New Clients Reached through eServices (2021):

3,559

Mentor Mothers (2021):

Country Director:

Dr. Agnes Kobusingye

Our work in Uganda

In Uganda, mothers2mothers (m2m) provides prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) support services in both health facilities and communities. Our work is presently focused in Jinja, Bugiri, Namayingo, Bugweri, and Iganga Districts, situated in the East Central region of the country.

Since rolling out services in 2010, we have tailored our services to closely match local realities, ensuring the inclusion of a woman’s family in her pregnancy and treatment journey. In addition to PMTCT and RMNCAH services supported by Cartier Philanthropy, m2m is also addressing the high rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in Uganda. We have recruited younger Adolescent Mentor Mothers who are working in communities to increase access to quality sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescent girls and boys.

With catalytic seed funding from Porticus since 2017 and later from the Swarovski Foundation, m2m is implementing an innovative pilot approach to identify and support young children with disabilities and their families, in response to the great need and growing demand for specialised health services. Mentor Mothers identify children with disabilities and refer them and their families for health services, while educating communities to reduce stigma around disabilities. Healthcare providers are also trained in disability-sensitive service provision.

In 2021, m2m Uganda received funding from ViiV Positive Action to improve paediatric case finding and care and treatment, and to support adolescent mothers living with HIV and their children to enjoy health and wellbeing in Jinja.

Additionally, m2m Uganda was the first country to train Mentor Mothers to promote and foster the economic empowerment of their clients. Mentor Mother-led Village Savings and Loan Associations are improving women’s ability to borrow money to finance income-generating activities.

Our Impact in Uganda

Success Story

Ojiambo James, Client, Masebe Village

I am 26 years old and my son—Ian—was born with a cleft palate in 2018. Because of his disability, his lips did not cover his teeth and whenever he ate, his food would fall out of his mouth. My wife and I tried to hide him as much as possible from society—we feared the stigma associated with having a child with a disability. We live in a small community in East Central, Uganda, where children with disabilities are seen as a curse to their families and are shunned by society. Whenever we dared to walk outside, people would give us disgusted looks. I did not know how to help my baby, so we continued to live in shame.

It wasn’t until 2020 when a Village Health Team member, employed by the Ugandan government, told us about a disability programme run by mothers2mothers (m2m). After just one meeting with the m2m Mentor Mothers at Banda Health Centre, we were referred to the hospital in Jinja. They arranged transport for us as we lived very far from Jinja and could not afford the fare. My son was assessed, the doctors successfully operated on him, and we received medication to take home to help with his recovery. Now, Ian has completely healed, and we can boldly and confidently walk and play outdoors with him. My wife and I will always be grateful for the support we received from m2m. We now keep an eye out for other parents who have children with disabilities, share our experiences, and tell them that disabilities are not a curse, and refer them to m2m for help and support.