AWH Uganda

Last week, we made history. TYI-Uganda, in collaboration with @transforumug and @UKPC_UG hosted THE STATE OF TRANS SRHR IN UGANDA 2026, the first national conference in Uganda to address trans health across HIV, TB, malaria, and SRHR. 4–5 March | Kampala Trans and gender-diverse people from all four regions of Uganda came together to document health barriers, share what’s working, and build consensus on what we need from the health system. Our evidence. Our voices. Our asks. On Day 2, we presented our findings directly to UNAIDS, Ministry of Health program leads, TASO Uganda, HRAPF, and development partners. For the first time, trans and gender-diverse communities sat at the table with the program leaders and spoke with one voice. What we produced: • The first community-generated evidence base on trans health in Uganda • Regional findings from Central, Western, Eastern, and Northern Uganda • Priority recommendations to MoH across HIV, TB, malaria, and SRHR • A Community Position Paper (coming soon) There is no disaggregated data on trans health in Uganda. Not in HIV, not in TB, and not in malaria.That changes now. Thank you to our partners: @UKPC_UG @hrapf_uganda, Ark Wellness Hub, Ice Breakers Uganda, Alive Medical Services,UHAI-EASHRI, LINK Partners, and every trans and gender-diverse institution that showed up. And to every trans and gender-diverse person who shared their story, you are the reason this exists. This is not the end; it is the beginning. Follow-up is in progress. The Community Position Paper will be released within four weeks. Accountability reviews will occur at 1, 3, and 6 months. This work is implemented under the Gender Equality Fund, an initiative established by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in partnership with GSK and ViiVHealthcare to support gender-transformative and community-led health responses. Nothing about us, without us. #TransHealthUganda #TransSRHR #95-95-95 #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #GlobalFund #TransRightsAreHealthRights

When prevention innovation reaches headlines before it reaches clinics, protection can quietly decline. Recently, while reviewing our service data at @ArkWellnessHub found myself asking questions about a drop in PrEP refills and enrolment. Was this pill fatigue? Reduced access to prevention commodities following HIV program funding cuts? That seemed plausible especially since we invest heavily in digital PrEP education, deploy online tools, and ensure that everyone who walks through our doors understands their prevention options. But something else became clear. We have talked loudly and often about injectable PrEP. We’ve celebrated it in conferences, headlines, research updates, and policy conversations. Yet for most people who need it, it is still not accessible. During a staff meeting, I got informed that the team team is receiving increasing calls, messages, and walk-in inquiries about injectable PrEP. Clients in consultation rooms are saying they will start when the injectables arrive. They have seen the news. They have heard Uganda received doses. They know studies were conducted here. But on the ground, injectable PrEP remains largely invisible and unavailable. A dangerous gap is emerging between promise and access and in its naivety, it is real, especially among young people. Expectations are shifting. Many are delaying starting daily pills and current users are not picking their refills. The risk perception is quietly dropping. Injectable PrEP is framed as easier, and yes, it is. It is discreet and offers freedom from daily dosing. All true. But the behavioural effect is complex, just as we have seen before with reduced condom demand among many PrEP users. Creating demand for PrEP among young people is uniquely challenging in our context because younger clients often prefer less daily responsibility, respond strongly to peer and media narratives, and have a lower tolerance for burden. The structural factors still matter; funding cuts affecting supply chains, program scale-downs, stigma, access barriers, and commodity shortages. But the promise of injectable PrEP may be amplifying these challenges. Our message remains clear: DO NOT PAUSE PrEP! Continue protection until injectable options are truly accessible. However, this has placed real pressure on service providers navigating hope, expectations, and reality. As we push for innovation, we must also manage expectations, communicate honestly, and ensure that hope does not unintentionally increase risk. Frontline colleagues, as we work on messaging to counter the “oral PrEP pause” HAS THIS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE TOO?

Download the Bridgr app now and take control of your health journey: 📱 Google Play (Android): play.google.com/store/apps/det… 📱 App Store: apps.apple.com/ug/app/bridgr-… Web version: bridgrhealth.vercel.app/home

We have lost such a great person. May your soul rest in peace, dear Joan #rellawomensfoundation

Access information on PrEP, PEP, STIs, Condoms, Lubricants, HPV among others on the SRH portal. Tap on the link below to educate yourself. srhconnect.info

Did you know the difference between PEP and PrEP?

Order your products such as Condoms and Lubricants to stay protected during this festive season. Download the app to get started. 📱 Google Play (Android): play.google.com/store/apps/det… 📱 App Store: apps.apple.com/ug/app/bridgr-… Web version: bridgrhealth.vercel.app/home

The 2nd Panel was about Health, titled “Healing Without Barriers: Rethinking Access to Health and Safe Spaces”much thanks to our panelists Marjorie Nakimuli from Marpi,Isaac Mutebi from @ArkWellnessHub and Kiyegga Andrew from @proud_legends .Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Yesterday on #WorldAIDSDay2025 , together with @ArkWellnessHub Support and @CentreforWomen2 ,we conducted a community outreach in Kigungu landing site, Entebbe. We provided HIV testing, family planning services, condoms, and lubricants while raising awareness about #SRHR .

Building partnerships, alongside strong mentorships and direct investment in #srhr service delivery, is crucial for addressing community issues. Today marks a step in this commitment as we proudly hosted @ArkWellnessHub at our facility to discuss our recently signed partnership.

The drug (pictured) is Antiretroviral medication, a drug combination approved for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) by @MinofHealthUG & its partners. All drugs used in the prevention & treatment of HIV are Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Always speak to a doctor for proper guidance.

Join us this Sunday 29th June at Ark Wellness Hub for a group therapy session. Let's meet, network, share ideas, comfort each other and heal. Contact 0800336336 to secure your seat or register with the li k below 👇👇 forms.zohopublic.com/awhug/form/Sig…

Community-led organizations are the backbone of the HIV response, providing access to HIV services for key populations, advocating for human rights and monitoring the HIV response. However, community-led HIV services are now under threat due to the US funding cuts. Read:

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Talking is part of healing, join us this Sunday 4th May for a group therapy session. Tap here👇to register forms.zohopublic.com/awhug/form/Sig…

Join us this Sunday, 27th April, 2025 for a refreshing therapy session. Follow the link below to register.👇👇 forms.zohopublic.com/awhug/form/Sig…

On April 10, 2025, Pepe spoke at the University of Paris-Nanterre in France, at the invitation of ADUH and STOP Homophobie. His talk focused on the criminalization of homosexuality and the legal challenges surrounding the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals by states. Pepe emphasized the importance of grounding legal advocacy in the lived experiences of queer people on the ground. He underscored that queer communities should be empowered to choose their own legal representation, rather than having lawyers select their clients. This, he noted, is crucial for securing community buy-in and fostering collective action. He referenced the landmark lawsuit filed by SMUG and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) against Scott Lively, in which the judge found that Lively’s actions in Uganda amounted to crimes against humanity. Pepe also expressed pride in hearing scholars and advocates reference the Strategic Response Team (SRT) reports—which he coordinates—as valuable tools in advancing LGBTQ+ justice. stophomophobie.com/conference-pen…

This Easter, Ark Wellness Hub will remain open as per our working hours because your health matters. Wishing you a joyful & blessed holiday. Call toll-free 0800336336 or WhatsApp 0200900083.

No one should live in fear for simply being who they are. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and the persecution of any group based on identity is a deep moral failure. Love, identity, and existence should never be criminalized.🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️