Peer To Peer Uganda - PEERU

2025 SPOTLIGHT:

In 2025, PEERU contributed to strengthening health systems by training and reorienting 187 health workers and service providers in integrated HIV and SRH services for young people across 63 health facilities.

In 2025, PEERU continued to strengthen school-based health programming through targeted capacity building for educators across implementing districts.

We trained teachers on school-based health integration approaches to promote health and wellbeing within learning environments.

PEERU took part in the partners meeting with members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) held to create awareness and discuss the implementation of the EAC Youth Policy SRHR commitments.

2025 Impact and Outcomes:

In 2025, Peer To Peer Uganda (PEERU) continued to empower young people and strengthen school communities across Uganda.

- 79 schools supported
- 3,115 students reached and trained

This is more than numbers, it’s building resilient young people.

Earlier this week, PEERU joined the Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development, in the launching of the National Guidelines on Health Education and Life Skills for Out-of-School Adolescents and Youth.

This timely and strategic framework will significantly strengthen and guide PEERU’s community-based programming, enhancing our efforts to deliver responsive, inclusive, and impactful interventions for adolescents and young people.

Through transformative training for both primary and secondary school teachers, PEERU is focused on advancing health, and creating safe, supportive spaces for learners. Schools are more than centres of academic excellence, they are critical environments where young people develop confidence, life skills, and a sense of belonging.

Through these engagements, teachers are equipped with practical knowledge and tools to:
• Promote health-seeking behaviours among learners
• Address stigma and discrimination in school settings
• Foster inclusive, respectful, and protective learning environments
• Identify and respond to the diverse needs of young people

PEERU participated in the Quarter One coordination meeting of the (Family Planning Budget Advocacy Group), which focused on validating the 2026 priorities and developing a joint action plan. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Bwire Moses, Executive Director of PEERU, and organized by the National Planning Authority. This engagement contributed to strengthening coordination and advancing a more strategic and impactful family planning advocacy agenda.

Key discussions centered on strengthening strategic investment in Family Planning (FP), advocating for direct resource allocation to FP, ensuring availability of essential FP commodities at sub national, and scaling up demand generation activities. The meeting also emphasized the importance of holding decision-makers accountable and minimizing fragmented advocacy efforts to enhance collective impact.

The meeting further reflected on Vote 116 allocations to Family Planning and the implications of Uganda’s 10% population growth rate on planning and resource needs.

These engagements remain critical in advancing equitable access to family planning services and driving sustainable health outcomes.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT:

Peer To Peer Uganda - PEERU, wish to formally inform it's partners and stakeholders that, following a strategic review and alignment process undertaken between PEERU and the Ministry of Health Uganda, PEERU will no longer be convening the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Adolescent Health, including the planned 5th edition in 2026.

In this regard, please find the attached official statement, which provides detailed context on this decision and outlines the broader national harmonisation process guiding this transition.

Men are key to achieving an HIV-free generation.

When young men and boys are empowered with the right information, support, and services, they make informed decisions, support their peers, families, and strengthen communities.

At PEERU, we are working with communities to break stigma, improve access to HIV services, and promote viral load suppression through peer-led support and lived experiences.

Uganda is showing up and bringing leadership with it. 🇺🇬

Prof. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health Uganda, will be speaking at the 9th RHNK Pan-African AYSRHR Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.