To ensure accurate, community-driven, and trusted health data collection across Uganda, the Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) 2025 project is deepening its grassroots engagement in Rakai District, South Buganda region. This exercise is critical for advancing Uganda's public health goals and informing policy and programming.
A successful community mobilization and planning meeting was held between Tonny Tindyeebwa, UPHIA Regional Mobilization Coordinator, and the LC1 Chairperson.The meeting focused on recruitment of a local community mobilizer, preparing the community for UPHIA health data collection, and dispelling misinformation.
The discussion took place in Rakai District, a key area in South Buganda where UPHIA 2025 field activities are being rolled out in preparation for the upcoming data collection teams.
The local leadership embraced the initiative with enthusiasm and took practical steps to ensure the community is fully engaged:
Co-opting leaders from surrounding villages to collaborate in mobilization and rumor management, recognizing the fluid nature of information flow in the region.
Assigning responsibilities among themselves as guides to assist UPHIA teams during fieldwork.
Actively engaging in dialogue about the uniqueness of the UPHIA survey compared to other HIV-focused studies previously implemented by Rakai Health Research Services. The difference was clarified, particularly in relation to the national scope of UPHIA and its multi-disease focus.
UPHIA 2025 is not just about HIV data collection, it is a comprehensive national health assessment funded by PEPFAR through the CDC, and implemented by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Makerere University School of Public Health. The project includes comprehensive health screening that goes beyond HIV to address Uganda's growing health challenges.
