A three-year project aimed at advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents and youth in the districts of Kamuli and Mayuge in Busoga sub region has been launched today by the Kyabazinga of Busoga HRH William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV.

The project named, EYE Universal SRHR project, with a theme “My Body, My Life, My World” was launched at Kamuli Youth Centre ground in Kamuli district.

The project will be implemented in the two districts of Kamuli and Mayuge where it envisions ensuring every adolescent and youth have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services and exercise reproductive rights, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

The project worth $4,491,012, is funded through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Uganda and will be implemented by UNFPA together with Marie Stopes Uganda, CARE International and Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre.

The primary target beneficiaries are in and out of school young people aged between 10-24 years, comprising about 70% female and 30% male. The secondary target beneficiaries include the people and structures that directly or indirectly influence the lives of the targeted young people, including Parents; caregivers; community health volunteers; political; religious; cultural and community leaders; health care providers; teachers; district sectoral leads; and policy makers.

In his speech, the Kyabazinga of Busoga appreciated the Norwegian government which agreed to carry on this project for the next three years and for joining Busoga Kingdom in the fight against teenage pregnancies because it is the biggest challenge Busoga is facing.

The monarch said that as a Kingdom, they will continue prioritizing projects and activities related to youth such that they can be in position to have good and youthful leaders in the future. Kyabazinga officially launched the EYE Universal SRHR project.

UNFPA’s Deputy Representative, Daniel Alemu, said that in Uganda, today’s adolescents and youth are over 78% of the population and are key to shaping social and economic development, challenging social norms and values, and building the foundation of the world’s future.

The Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Norway in Uganda, Ole Reidar Bergum said he was happy to support the government of Uganda through their partners to achieve its goals of reducing child marriages, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies through increasing access to SRHR services in Kamuli and Mayuge district.

Present at the ceremony was Busoga Kingdom’s Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Issabalangira (Chief Prince) of Busoga Kingdom Samuel Menhya Zirabamuzaale, Prince Nkono Mutyaba of Bukono chiefdom, Prince Henry Woira of Bugabula BB, Commissioner Mondo Kyateka and officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and various Civil Society Organisations.  –End