Focus Areas

Healthcare Support and Advocacy

Healthcare forms an integral and important part of sustainable human development in Uganda and is a central pillar in the UN Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 3 on health and wellbeing. Poor health is one of the crucial factors pushing households into poverty and destitution majorly affecting women and youth. Yet, a healthy population is a major determinant of national efforts towards socio-economic transformation which requires healthcare support services. Poor women find it difficult to access healthcare facilities due to distance to the health centre, lack of money for medical treatment, lack of time and dependency on men for permission to leave home to go and seek health services. Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, candida and genital sores combined with inadequate family planning services affect women more than men. Through Kanyisa Initiative program, RUHEPAI advocates and supports rural communities and empowers them with information, knowledge, skills and tools of healthcare access, utilization, provision and delivery.

Agriculture Advancement and Climate Action

Agriculture and Climate are most key important drivers of Air, Breath and Food production necessary to sustain our lives. Agriculture is the Uganda’s backbone of the economy contributing half of export earnings and a quarter of Gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 72% of the total labour force (formal and informal), of whom 77% are women and 63% are youth, mostly residing in the rural areas. Farming is still dominated by smallholder farmers engaged in food and cash crops production hugely affected by the climate change effects. Through Sustainable Approaches for Farming and Environment (SAFE) program, RUHEPAI promotes climate smart agriculture which results into increased yields, food production and security and environmental conservation through training in organic farming, crop specialization tree planting and soil nutrient replenishment.

Gender and Women Leadership

Participation of women in leadership at all levels is a desirable action of every advocate of gender equality to attain UN Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 5. Leadership of women is one pillar of assurance for peace building and stability in homes, families and communities hence a catalyst for reduction and elimination of gender-based violence cases. Women’s active participation in decision making at all levels propels sexual reproductive health rights and places women at the centre of recognition for their rights to be recognized and their voices to be heard with less resistance and non-violence. Through Lead Inspire program (LIP), RUHEPAI creates avenues that offer women in rural settings opportunities to lead, make decisions, defend their rights, negotiate for business ownership and financial acumen so as to attain Gender Equality.

Skills Transfer and Mentorship

Skills Acquisition through hands on training and mentorship is one key tool to address youth unemployment and safeguard vulnerability of adolescent girls especially those who dropped out of school due to Covid-19 pandemic. Uganda has the world’s youngest population with over 78% below the age of 30 years while about 8 million youths are aged 15 – 30 years. Unfortunately, all these youths are prone to exploitation, abuse and violence. Through Skills Acquire Connect (SAC) program, RUHEPAI builds capacities and abilities of youth in various skills ranging from hair dressing, sweater knitting, handmade bags making and art and craft which make it possible for them to gain employment and create jobs hence become self-reliant.