Eight youth-run startups in northern Uganda have been selected to benefit from a Shs144 million start-up fund from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to help them kick-start their businesses aimed at addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges in their communities.

The eight groups from Adjumani, Arua, Yumbe, Moyo, Kitgum, Agago, Amuru and Lamwo districts, were selected following a competition in which they faced a panel of judges.

A total of 250 applications were received after which 22 semi-finalists were shortlisted for three-day workshops conducted in Arua and Kitgum.

Each of the eight teams will receive funding, business training, mentorship, and go-to-market technical guidance courtesy of the Up Accelerate WAY (Women, Adolescent and Youth) edition.

Up Accelerate WAY edition is a health-based social incubator developed by UNFPA in partnership with Outbox, a local business, and innovation incubator, and Reach A Hand Uganda.

The initiative is supported by the Government of Denmark.

The eight teams that were selected are;

Baby Kit: a team using locally made materials to develop infant warmers help mothers in refugee settlements that have given birth to premature or at-risk babies.

The other is IKitty Supplies: a service that will help young men and women living in rural and refugee settlements and host communities in West Nile access affordable family planning services.

The other is Platform 503: a music dance and drama group which creates ‘’you-change skits’’ that will help young women, adolescent girls and young people affected by conflict in refugee and host communities access user friendly information on the causes, prevention and strategies to end gender-based violence through audio/visual context appropriate customer inclusive, educative and entertaining short plays.

Poker Card: A card book that will promote inclusiveness by helping deaf women and youths acquire primary Health care knowledge on HIV/AIDs through graphics, illustrations, and images that can be understood by the deaf.

Fema let’s talk: A solution that provides an interactive edutainment platform (Fe-Ma: let’s talk App) and school clubs that will provide a safe space for adolescent girls and boys aged between 12 to 17 to share, learn and get equipped with knowledge on Gender Based Violence to be agents of behavioral change and promoters of nonviolence.

We help: An interactive voice response system platform that will help women of childbearing age easily access family planning services by describing to them the benefits and likely costs of the chosen contraceptives; using their preferred language also linking them to the nearest health facility.

Mieringa: A mobile Application Service that will help young people between the age of 13 to 17 years affected by conflict and those in refugee host communities access information and consultation services on sexual and reproductive health and rights in both Lugbara and English language using toll free sms and toll free phone calls to help reduce cases of unintended and early pregnancies.

Unity and Prosperity Medical Center: An antenatal care service provider that will help expectant mothers living in refugee communities access safe delivery services within their community to solve the problem of long distances to the nearest health facilities through establishment of mobile antenatal clinics.

Stories Continues after ad

Friends of the Deputy Speaker of parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, have contributed a total of Shs 10 million towards mothers of children affected by the nodding disease syndrome in Omoro district.

Led by the Chairperson National Drug Authority, Dr Medard Bitekyerezo, they handed over their contribution to the Deputy Speaker at his office in Parliament Building on Thursday, 22 November 2018. Dr Bitekyerezo was accompanied by Dr Moses Kamabare, the General Manager National Medical Stores (NMS).

Bitekyerezo, who is also the former MP Mbarara Municipality, said that they were prompted to make the contribution following their visit to Omoro district where they found that the women lacked domestic requirements and other needs to care for the children affected by the disease.

“This money will go into their SACCO and help the women look after themselves and their children. We pray that the children get healed,” said Bitekyerezo.

The funds will go to Odek Sub County in Omoro district. Oulanyah represents Omoro County in Parliament, and has led a campaign to help communities affected by the nodding disease syndrome in northern Uganda. Several groups have provided various items including mattresses, blankets and food supplements.

The contribution follows a visit by the Deputy Speaker to the National Medical Stores (NMS), who in turn visited Omoro and gave food supplements to children suffering from the disease. The supplements containing over 90 nutrients from the Moringa were developed by NMS in conjunction with the Joint Medical Stores (JMS) and Doctors Choice, a non-governmental organization. It was launched in Omoro at the start of November.

Oulanyah was grateful that individuals were coming up to support the communities affected by the disease and appealed to government and partners to come to the rescue of the children in the area.

He said that the women caring for the sick children cannot take part in any activities as they have to attend and care for the sick children.

He said that Doctors Choice would return to Omoro to ascertain the effectiveness of the food supplements after three months.

“We are looking forward to a positive impact [of the supplements]. Our hope is that they can recover,” said Oulanyah adding that “With proper nutrition and medication, the children will recover,”

Stories Continues after ad