Faith and Family Planning in Uganda

In many developing countries, faith-based organizations are key healthcare providers and advocates, delivering a significant proportion of primary health care services, including reproductive, maternal and newborn care. Faith Plus Family Planning is a PAI initiative that provides religious organizations in the developing world with small grants and technical support to hold governments accountable for providing quality family planning and reproductive health services.

PAI’s advocacy wins in Uganda include:

• The Mityana District approved and launched FP costed implementation plan (2016-2021) in September 2016. Additionally, the district established a FP technical working group to coordinate and monitor execution of the plan.
• As a result of advocacy with district officials in Mityana District, sub-counties increased FP budget allocations from UGX 6.8 million (USD 2,000) in 2015/2016 to UGX 36.7 million (USD 10,000) in 2017/2018.
• The Namayingo District established a dedicated FP budget line with an allocation of UGX 16 million (USD 4,705).
• Additionally, the Namayingo District recruited 16 additional midwives, appointed a FP expert to support midwives and placed a government health worker at Catholic St. Martia Health Centre II to provide patients with information on the full FP method mix.
• The Namayingo District health officer also approved a FP costed implementation plan, with formal approval expected in 2018 by the District Council.
• The Kyenjojo District approved a FP costed implementation plan (2017-2022) in April 2017.
• The Kiko sub-county of Kabarole District passed a bylaw to prevent early marriages and early pregnancies.