Bugiri, Uganda: Straight Talk Foundation is transforming the lives of youths in Busoga Sub-region through its Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights for All (SRHR4ALL) project.
The four-year initiative, now in its second year, is targeting adolescents in Bugiri and Iganga districts with life-changing SRHR advocacy, economic empowerment, and behaviour change interventions to reduce gender inequalities and improve health outcomes.
According to Mr. Luke Twesigye, the SRHR Coordinator at Straight Talk Foundation, the project, funded by Sonke Gender Justice and implemented in partnership with MenEngage Uganda, is focused on empowering adolescents, women, young people, and persons with disabilities to become champions of SRHR and gender equality in their communities.
“We bring adolescents together to help them understand critical SRHR issues, such as teenage pregnancy, school dropout, child marriage, drug abuse, and HIV/AIDS stigma, and then work with them to craft practical solutions,” Twesigye said during a community dialogue in Musongola, Kapyanga Sub-county, Bugiri District.
Youths shared testimonies of how their lives have changed since joining the project, with many citing abandonment of crime, alcoholism, and prostitution. Some, like Kayala Josephat of Kapyanga GTA Club, confessed to having been involved in criminal activity before reformation through Straight Talk’s guidance.
“I was a thief, alcoholic, and drug addict. But Straight Talk helped me understand the danger I was in. Today, I’m focused on mobilising others towards development,” Kayala told DailyExpress.
The project has also helped communities understand SRHR policies, laws, and delivery mechanisms by conducting dialogues with parents, health providers, and community leaders on children’s rights and positive parenting.
Tibikoma Jalia, GTA champion in Bugiri, revealed that young people in Musongola village launched a mushroom growing initiative, which now earns them up to UGX 150,000 daily.
“Young people were idle and wasting away on drugs. So, we formed a group and started this income-generating project after identifying poverty as one of the biggest drivers of school dropout and sexual exploitation,” Tibikoma said.
Despite the progress, young people highlighted persistent barriers to accessing SRHR services. These include health workers disclosing the HIV status of clients, and providers who intimidate adolescents seeking family planning with invasive questions.
“Some health workers ask if you’re a student before providing services. This embarrasses us and pushes many to give up,” said Namukose Aisha, a young woman in Bugiri.
Namaganda Zaina echoed the concern, noting that unprofessional conduct by health workers continues to discourage adolescents from accessing HIV services.
The Prime Minister of Bukooli Chiefdom, Owek. Kawo Kawerenayi, who attended the dialogue, applauded Straight Talk Foundation for instilling discipline and ambition in young people.
“You’ve moved from idleness to development. Do not go back to the lives you led before. Mobilise others to join and change their lives,” he told the youth.
Mr. Twesigye confirmed plans to expand the initiative to more districts, building on the success in Bugiri and Iganga. “The youths themselves selected enterprises like mushroom growing, tailoring and other skills. Our role is to empower and support them to thrive,” he said.
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