Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), a non-governmental organisation that pioneered family planning in Uganda and founded in 1957, has teamed up with the Uganda Rugby Union. This exciting partnership began officially in 2025. The goal is simple: to use the power of sports to improve community health.
Dr. Silas Gogo, Manager of RHU’s Tororo Branch, recently explained this collaboration. He shared how sports events provide a perfect platform for health education and services. This partnership is already showing great success across the country.
Why Did RHU Choose to Partner with Uganda Rugby Union?
Many people ask why rugby was chosen. Actually, RHU works with many sports. They have supported football, athletics, and even board games in Tororo. However, each sport attracts a different audience.
Rugby brings together a unique group of spectators and players. These are people who might not attend a football match. Therefore, partnering with rugby allows RHU to reach a new segment of the community. This helps spread their vital health messages to more people.
Key Target Audiences: Reaching Everyone in the Community
This partnership reaches several key groups. First, the players themselves are a primary audience. They receive first aid during games and important health information. Young people are another major focus. They face specific sexual and reproductive health risks.
Additionally, the partnership serves the wider community. This includes adults and spectators who come to watch the games. District and sports officials are also engaged. Together, they discuss how to blend sports and health initiatives successfully.
Comprehensive Services Offered at Rugby Events
RHU provides a full range of services at these events. For example, at the recent Busitema University Games, they offered comprehensive care. Thousands of people attended, creating a golden opportunity for outreach.
The services are extensive. They include health education on sexual health and drug abuse. HIV counseling and testing is provided voluntarily. Furthermore, they screen and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Cancer screenings for breast and cervical cancer are also available.
Family Planning and Preventive Care on the Frontline
Preventive care is a major focus. RHU distributes thousands of condoms at these events. They educate youth on proper condom use. This is crucial because the excitement of games can sometimes lead to risky behavior.
Moreover, they offer all forms of family planning. This includes pills, injections, implants, and permanent methods. They also conduct general health check-ups. These check-ups monitor blood pressure, weight, and nutrition.
Tackling Drug Abuse and Other Health Challenges
The partnership addresses broader health issues too. Counselors are present to talk about drug abuse. This is important because some athletes struggle with substance use. RHU guides them towards healthier choices.
In addition, they help people with other concerns. For instance, some attendees seek help for infertility or erectile dysfunction. RHU provides counseling and refers them for further care when needed.
The Impact and Success of the Partnership So Far
The results have been impressive. At Busitema, services were in such high demand that RHU ran out of supplies. They had to fetch more from a nearby facility. This overwhelming response shows the community’s need.
Specifically, the screenings had a direct impact. For example, five women were detected with early-stage cervical cancer. Because of early detection, they received treatment. This early action likely saved their lives.
Future Goals: Strengthening and Expanding the Partnership
RHU has big plans for the future. They want this partnership to become a permanent culture. The aim is to be involved at the national planning level, not just regional events. This would allow for even broader service delivery.
For instance, an upcoming Christmas event on December 20th is already planned. RHU expects even larger crowds, including holidaymakers. They are preparing a bigger service package to meet this demand.
Conclusion: A Model of Collaboration for National Health
In conclusion, the RHU and Uganda Rugby Union partnership is a powerful model. It effectively marries sports mobilization with essential health service delivery. The initiative reaches diverse audiences with life-saving information and care.
Finally, Dr. Silas Gogo thanks all collaborators, including Mr. Timothy Byaruhanga of Tororo Rugby. He also acknowledges support from district health officials and RHU leadership in Kampala. This collective effort is building a healthier, better-informed Ugandan community through the spirit of sport.
