Labila Sumayah Musok

It was an honor to contribute to this publication and collaborate with thoughtful and brilliant authors @MyriaKoutsoumpa @mmi_updates @michaelssem1 @DerrickNsibirwa A huge thanks to @Wemos Join us #Beyondaid #GAP

Patient detention over unpaid medical bills continues to turn some of the most vulnerable patients into debtors rather than rights-holders, with the victims mostly being women after childbirth, low-income families, and patients seeking medical emergencies. A recent court decision in Kenya adds to growing regional recognition that patient detention has no place in healthcare (Stephen Ndwaru Gicheru v Nairobi Hospital & oths, Constitutional Petition E258/2026) @2026-05-04" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgmen… This moment calls for reflection. We need health systems and financing frameworks that protect dignity, safeguard liberty, and ensure that illness does not become punishment for people of low incomes. @ISERUganda's past research has documented these realities: 📘When Patient Becomes Prisoner iser-uganda.org/wp-content/upl…, and 📘Trapped in Hospital Debt iser-uganda.org/wp-content/upl… @ReproRightsAFR @MinofHealthUG

Reflections from partners on the 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 (𝗨𝗣𝗥) ❝I have had the privilege of attending a retreat organized by CEHURD and @EACHRights on the Universal Periodic Review (#UPR) process. This experience has been deeply enriching and transformative. As a first-time participant in such a forum, I found the discussions both eye-opening and empowering. Engaging with fellow advocates and lawyers created a vibrant space for learning and exchange. What stood out most was the emphasis on the quality of recommendations, the need for clarity, specificity, and evidence-based advocacy, while also drawing from previous recommendations of the previous reviews to strengthen our positions. The retreat highlighted the need for reporting about the ractifiedinternational laws since the reporting obligations are mandatory, it became clear that civil society organizations (CSOs) must work hand in hand with government institutions to monitor progress, share insights, and propose constructive ways forward. This collaboration is essential to ensure that commitments translate into tangible improvements in the protection and promotion of equal rights for all human beings. Overall, the retreat was not only beneficial but also inspiring. It reaffirmed the critical role of collective action in advancing human rights and reminded me that meaningful advocacy requires both knowledge and partnership.❞ ~ @joycenakato256 Team leader Uganda youth and Adolescents health forum (@uyahf1 ) #UPR4thCycleUG

Dissemination of PAC guidelines & MVA skills reinforcement for health workers -conducted by AOGU under Pamoja Project & CEHURD

.@anabwowe on how to finance #SocialProtection: International Labour Organisation estimates that the cost of achieving universal coverage in Sub - Saharan Africa would require 5.2 of the GDP on average including 1.8 of GDP to provide benefits to children; - Zambia, Mongolia & Bolvia introduced taxes on mining & gas. - Ghana & Indonesia cut fuel subsidies. - Algeria, Mauritius & Panama increased taxes on tobacco. For Uganda, fighting corruption, tax evasion & reducing unnecessary tax exemptions can go a long way in financing social protection #CPS2026AndBeyond.

Ms. Nankya Janat senior Economist @mofpedU: When it comes to financing of government programs, they are informed by legal & policy framework. Therefore, we need to fast-track the review of the Social Protection Policy & the subsequent Act. We need to move from the fragmented approach to a comprehensive one. Additionally, there is need for effective Registries in place. Currently, we are spending UGX 17bn on administrative cost for administering the Social Assistence Grant for Empowerement. With effective & efficient data systems, we can digitise the payments and reduce the costs. For every payment to older persons under SAGE, UGX 6500 is spent. #CPS2026AndBeyond

.@anabwowe: @ISERUganda advocates for the implementation of social protection as a life cycle. Considering the risks that human beings, we seek to advocate for social protection as a human right #CPS2026AndBeyond

.@katabaazi25: If we don't arrest the vulnerabilities at the earliest time possible, we cannot talk about sovereignty. When it comes to Social Protection, @Parliament_Ug has four major roles; legislative, appropriation, oversight & representation. We have to ensure that #SocialProtection reflects in the core roles of Parliament. Additionally, we need a comprehensive approach to #SocialProtection. We need to design a comprehensive national framework. The financing and implementation can be gradual, but we need to be sure of where we are going. #CSP2026AndBeyond

Angela Kasule ED @ISERUganda raises a critical issue: Uganda has many strong policies & frameworks but implementation remains the biggest challenge. What can we learn from other countries to move from policy to real impact? #CSP2026AndBeyond

Uganda takes a bold step for its youngest learners! Today, the @Educ_SportsUg has launched the National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy 2025; laying the foundation for a stronger start in life. @ISERUganda is proud to have contributed to this great milestone. @KIOSFoundation @jobeckerhrw

@cehurduganda Unfortunate that Hon. Nakimuli died of maternal health related matters. Despite improvement on country's maternal health indicators, conditions like fibroids are common, costly yet neglected. Private sector monitoring & accountability are essential. No woman should die this way!

❝As I reflect on our current position, I recognize that the Universal Periodic Review (#UPR) is a unique mechanism. It allows us to do more than point out gaps; it provides a platform to share what we have done as a country and to receive recommendations from other states on how to strengthen the protection and advancement of human rights for all. To succeed in this cycle, we must move beyond rhetoric and produce a rigorous, evidence-based report that clearly answers the critical question: what is your evidence? This requires credible, well-documented data. I encourage you to leverage your existing connections with diplomatic missions to help shape recommendations that Uganda can take on to advance SRHR. Once these recommendations are adopted, the task ahead will be to hold government accountable for their implementation and to track and report progress in the next cycle. This process, in its uniqueness, offers a clear pathway for influence and accountability, one we must use effectively to advance our SRHR commitments as a country.❞ ~ Ms @Nakibuukam , our Deputy Executive Director, remarks during a report development retreat for 𝗨𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. #UPR4thCycle

Yeterday, we participated in an insightful training with @SEATINuganda on curbing Gender-Based Violence(GBV) and championing decent work for women within commercial investment schemes. Knowledge is the first step toward economic justice. ✊🏿🇺🇬 #GenderJustice #DecentWork #Uganda

We joined our member @SEATINIUGANDA, in an insightful training on curbing Gender-Based Violence(GBV) and championing decent work for women within commercial investment schemes. #CorporateAccountability #GBVPrevention #LabourRights

Debt sustainability assessments must align with human rights obligations to ensure that countries fund key social services like education, healthcare and social protection. The emphasis shouldn't be about getting creditors repaid. This was a very strong message coming from the discussion on debt sustainability; how much debt relief is enough?: reimagining low income countries debt sustainability framework for balancing fiscal space. At @ISERUganda, we are keen on the impact of debt considering how much Uganda's debt servicing now exceeds combined healthcare, social protection and education funding. #SpringMeetings2026 #SpringMeetings #IMFSpringMeetings @KIOSFoundation @anabwowe

Public investment in early childhood/pre-primary education breaks poverty cycles, gets women into the labor market, boosts school readiness, and gives children the best start in life. However, too many children in low-income countries are shut out, especially children with disabilities and those in extreme poverty. At the @WorldBankGroup @IMFNews Spring Meetings, our ED @anabwowe was part of a round table with World Bank VP for Eastern & Southern Africa, Ndiame Diop, to push for universal, quality, inclusive pre-primary education. She urged caution on relying on Public Privatr Partnerships (PPPs) to expand access. The more effective solution lies in prioritizing public investment in early childhood/pre-primary education. #SpringMeetings2026 #SpringMeetings #IMFSpringMeeetings @KIOSFoundation

Our countries have to step up, look inwards and fund social protection from progressive taxation, review tax exemptions, curb illicit financial flows, fight corruption, and manage public debt. Social Protection is a lifeline e.g older persons rely on cash transfers to meet their health care needs. Majority also pay school fees for their grand children thus improving access to education and reducing child labour - @anabwowe #SpringMeetings2026 #SpringMeetings @WorldBankGroup @IMFNews

.@anabwowe notes that the @WorldBankGroup supports social protection as a tool for reducing vulnerability and promoting inclusive growth but their guidance consistently favors poverty targeting rather than universal coverage. In our contexts, determining who is eligible and who isn't is difficult. Together with RAISE Denmark, @ISERUganda published a review of pension reforms in selected East and Southern Africa countries that have managed to move from small scale charity based programs to rights based universal people's pension. This corroborates @DevPathways' analysis that universal pension is affordable. READ the joint review iser-uganda.org/wp-content/upl… #SpringMeetings2026 #SpringMeetings

In a high-level sensitization dialogue held today in Namayingo district, organized by @ISERUganda, officials gathered to deliberate on the critical state of education in the district. The dialogue brought together key figures, including the District Education Officer (DEO) Mr. Mayende Erusaniya, the District Inspector of Schools, selected school managers, and the LCV representative, Hon. Bwire David, who also serves as the district councilor for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Stakeholders have issued a rallying cry to parents and school managers to prioritize Early Childhood Development (ECD), warning that skipping pre-primary education severely hampers a child’s long-term academic success and social integration. #RightToEducation

We are in Washington DC for the @WorldBankGroup 2026 Spring Meetings. We are engaging in discussions around fiscal choices and affordability for social protection, debt, aid cuts to subsaharan Africa and financing for foundational learning. Our ED @anabwowe will join a panel with @ArabReform_ARI, @hrw, World Bank and @DevPathways to discuss social protection reforms in Africa. #IMFMeetings @KIOSFoundation

Due to lack of public provision of pre-primary education, private provision is chaotic. Over 90% of the ECD centers in Buikwe are not registered meaning that they are operating without minimum standards. For example, in Buikwe main (excluding Lugazi & Njeru Municipalities), out of the 230 ECDs only 10 are registered. 80% of the teachers/caregivers are not trained and 98% of the Centre Management Committees are not functional. @Educ_SportsUg #EducationForAll