Programme

UCHD 2025 – Conference Programme (Sept 3–5)

Registration

07:30–08:30 Registration of Delegates

Opening Plenary & Ceremony Room: Bunyonyi

MC: Emmanuel Ainebyoona & Priscilla Nalwoga · Chair: Prof. Fredrick Makumbi
08:30–09:00
Welcome Remarks — Dr. Charles Olaro (MoH Uganda); Fatia Kiyange (CEHURD); Akram Zziwa (CEHURD Board)
09:00–09:15
Entertainment — Peer Educators Group, West Nile Region
09:15–10:00
The state of social determinants of health — Edward Walugembe (OPM Uganda). Respondents: Edwin Wangira; Angella Nansubuga; Twebaze Julia Billiart; Agnes Kirabo (pre-recorded)
10:00–10:10
Opening Statement — WHO World report on SDH equity: Dr. Kasonde Mwinga (WHO Rep to Uganda)
10:10–10:30
Tea Break
10:30–11:30
Keynote — Prof. Ben Twinomugisha (Makerere Law): Nexus Between Health, Human Rights & Development
Respondents: Dr. Okware Joseph; Hanninghton Ashaba; Dr. Joseph Muvawala; Prof. Ruth Nsibirano
11:30–11:45
Address — Hon. Margaret Muhanga: Multi-sectoral approach for equitable health
11:45–13:00
Official UCHD 2025 Opening — Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja (Prime Minister) · Launch CEHURD 10-year Strategy · Special Awards · Group Photo
13:00–14:00
Lunch Break

Breakaway Sessions (Parallel) 14:00–15:30

Track A: SDH for SRHR (Bunyonyi)

Chairs: Dr. Chris Ebong; Nondo Ejano
14:00–14:10 A002 — Accessibility & utilization of contraceptive services among adolescent urban refugee girls (Namulondo Joweri)
14:10–14:20 A009 — Attitudes, social norms & SRH services among youth in NE Uganda (Ojanduru Lillian)
14:20–14:30 A005 — Advancing SRHR for marginalized AGYW in Namayingo (Wangira Edwine)
14:30–14:40 A003 — Cost of limited sexuality education & childhood sexual violence (Nabunnya Gloria)
14:40–14:50 A033 — Reducing unsafe abortions via community-led innovations (Nabwire Polyne)
14:50–15:00 A023 — Empowerment programs & SRHR uptake (Hope Atim et al.)

Track B: SDH for Communicable Diseases (Kyoga)

Chairs: Dr. Fred Musoke Sebisubi; Edith Kamakune
14:00–14:10 B001 — Community-led rights-based pandemic preparedness (ICWEA)
14:10–14:20 B008 — SDH & malaria in Gulu (Okello Mathew)
14:20–14:30 B009 — Barriers in pharmacovigilance for HIV/TB (Michael Bbaale)
14:30–14:40 B011 — Queer Health is Public Health (Joan Amek Eoju)
14:40–14:50 B010 — SRH in displacement & marginalization of young women (Peace Monica Pimer)

Track C: SDH for NCDs & NTDs (Aswa)

Chairs: Dr. Eve Namisango; Christopher Kwizera
14:00–14:10 C001 — Adherence follow-up for abnormal cervical screening (URDT)
14:10–14:20 C004 — Centering women who use/inject drugs (AWAC)
14:20–14:30 D011 — Community barriers to cervical cancer prevention (URDT)
14:30–14:40 C002 — Bridging health/community gaps for malaria control (PICOT)
14:50–15:00 C005 — Self-care for NCD prevention (Dr. Yacoub Hachine)

Track D: Multi-sectoral Models (Kafu)

Chairs: Ms. Flavia Zalwango; George Kapiyo
14:00–14:10 D001 — Community Health Legal Empowerment Hubs (Pius Vianney Nsubuga)
14:10–14:20 B003 — Mockery of the Right to Health? AHA Act judgment analysis (Adrian Jjuuko)
14:20–14:30 D002 — Advancing equity & justice through cinema (Atuhairwe Mugasa Joan)
14:30–14:40 D013 — Harm reduction as a health right (UHRN)
14:50–15:00 D003 — Integrated GBV response model in post-conflict N. Uganda (Cinderella Anena)

15:00–15:30 · Questions & discussion (all tracks)

Tea Break & Posters

15:30–16:00 Tea Break & Poster Presentations

Workshop 01 16:00–17:30 Bunyonyi

Moderator: Lillian Mworeko
DW01 From Lab to Last Mile: Ensuring equitable access to Lenacapavir HIV treatment in LMICs — KELIN/Solidarity Project

Registration

07:30–08:30 Registration of Delegates

Second Plenary Bunyonyi

MC: Penelope Sanyu (CEHURD Board) & Graham Nyaberi (Third Sector Builders, Kenya) · Chair: Dr. Ronald Miria Ocaatre (Asst. Commissioner, Health Promotion & Communication, MoH)
08:30–09:30
Addressing social determinants of health — Communicable/Infectious diseases, NCDs & NTDs.
Lead: Christopher Kwizera (UNCDA). Panelists: Dr. Andrew Kambugu (IDI, Uganda); Dr. Naghib Bogere (Uganda Cancer Institute); Martina Nalunkuma (Mortal Crescents); Roselight Katusabe (Hospice Africa Uganda).
09:30–11:00
Models & approaches for multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing SDH — Lead: Dr. Richard Mugahi (Commissioner, Reproductive & Infant Health, MoH).
Discussants: Hajji Mayanja Idi Mubarak (MGLSD); Ateng Francis (Min. of Local Government); Evans Jjemba (Min. of Works & Transport); Dr. Paul Mwambu (MAAIF); Joshua Mutambi (Min. of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives); Deborah Iyebu (Welthungerhilfe Uganda).
11:00–11:30
Tea Break & Networking

Breakaway Sessions (Parallel) 11:30–13:00

Track A: SDH for SRHR (Bunyonyi)

A007 The Role of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Shaping Access to Youth-Friendly SRH Services in Uganda — Milly Nanyonga (Afya na Haki Institute).
A024 The Impact of Adolescent Youth Campaigns on the Uptake of Family Planning Services (15–25) in Kanungu District — Kamara Daniel (Bwindi Community Hospital).
A010 Unlocking the potential of private clinics to provide quality SRH/family planning services — (Case of Jinja & Bugiri districts, Uganda).
A014 Social Audits expose gaps in municipal responses to GBV as a social determinant of SRHR — Lizhan Brown (Sonke Gender Justice).
A012 Scaling community-led norms shifting for SRHR outcomes — The ANSWER Programme, Northern Uganda (Cinderella Anena, UNFPA).
A022 Contradictions in value systems, social norms & realities of sexuality/contraceptive use among youths in Karamoja — Ojanduru Lillian (MakSPH).

12:30–13:00 · Questions & discussion

Track B: SDH for Communicable Diseases (Kyoga)

B014 Reducing human rights barriers to HIV, TB & Malaria prevention/treatment — Insights from the Breaking Down Barriers initiative (Edith Kamakune, TASO).
B006 Mapping the distribution & challenges of long-distance TB care — (with Uganda Cancer Institute context; Dr. Naghib Bogere).
B013 Extended TB contact tracing: a strategic approach to ending the TB epidemic — Yosam Okiru (CEHURD).

12:30–13:00 · Questions & discussion

Track C: SDH for NCDs & NTDs (Aswa)

C006 Litigating the “silent epidemic” — Role of courts in Uganda’s NCD response — Nimrod Muhumuza (Afya na Haki Institute).
C003 Prevalence of kidney disease in Uganda & factors affecting treatment outcomes — Prof. Robert Kalyesubula (Makerere / Consultant Nephrologist).

12:30–13:00 · Questions & discussion

Track D: Multi-sectoral Models (Kafu)

D007 Community-driven initiatives as a strategy to advance SDH — Good Food for Cities (Mbale) & safe, nutritious diets — Lucky Brian (Food Rights Alliance).
D006 From dialogue to delivery: cross-sector & global partnerships for health — Jeremiah Ssekabira (CHAT mit Uganda).
D020 Citizen-led social accountability for health service delivery — Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG).
D010 Community-led health engagement: lessons from maternal/child health — Bongomin Emmanuel (Childhood Development Organisation, Uganda).
D008 From margins to mainstream: multi-sector model for Down Syndrome — Mildred Katusabe (Rowan’s Down Syndrome Awareness Centre).
D012 Advancing health equity via multi-sector collaboration — Women Domestic Development Initiative for All (WODIFA).

12:30–13:00 · Questions & discussion

13:00–14:00 Lunch Break

Workshops Afternoon

14:00–15:30
WORKSHOP 02 (Aswa) — Chair: Esther Dhafa (CEHURD).
AW01: Redefining Fatherhood, Redefining Power — MenCare approach to engaging men in SRHR.
A029: Interrogating socio-cultural (gender) norms influencing GBV — Sonke Gender Justice / Generation G.
14:00–15:30
WORKSHOP 03 (Kyoga) — Chair: Sunshine Fiona Komusana (Feminist Lawyer & Advocate).
AW02: Building a resilient SRHR movement to advance women’s reproductive rights — CSMMUA.
14:00–15:30
WORKSHOP 04 (Kafu) — Chair: Dr. Roselline Achola (MoH).
DW02: Strengthening health systems through self-care approaches — Experiences from Uganda & other African countries (Ministry of Health / CEHURD).
15:30–16:00 Tea Break & Snapshot Presentations
16:00–17:30 Workshops continue

Gala Dinner

19:00–22:00 Social Justice in Health — Honouring 15 years & shaping the future.

Registration

07:30 Registration of Delegates

Third Plenary Bunyonyi

MC: Noor Nakibuuka Musisi (CEHURD) & Diana Tibesigwa (AHF Uganda) · Chair: Dr. Lilian Sekabembe (PSI Uganda)
08:30–09:30 Social determinants for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
Lead: Dr. Irene Mwenyango (MoH, Uganda). Panel: Hon. Safia Nalule Jjuuko (EOC); Laura Lafuente (UNFPA); Ruth Ajalo (CEHURD); Martha Clara Nakato (Public Health Policy Analyst); Karen Aura (MoH, Kenya).
09:30–11:00 The influence of social and cultural norms on the realisation of the right to health
Lead: Dr. Amon Mwine Ashaba (Makerere University). Panel: Dr. Dan Kaye (AOGU); Nasser Ssemwanje (Muslim Community—Office of the Supreme Mufti, Kibuli); Owek. Christine Mugerwa Kasule (Buganda Kingdom); Sanya Ronald (LCV, Namayingo); Onyiru Doreen (Youth Councillor, Arua City).
11:00–11:30 Tea Break & Networking

Breakaway Sessions 11:30–13:00

Track A: SDH for SRHR (Bunyonyi)

Chairs: Roselight Katusabe; Nimrod Muhumuza
A017 — Integrating gender-transformative approaches to challenge inequality in access to health care — Deborah Kyamagwa (PSI Uganda)
A025 — Social determinants for health for SRHR — Majinjach Festo (Sabiny Transformation Initiative)
A016 — Community lifeline initiative: expanding access to safe, stigma-free reproductive healthcare in rural communities — Mukiibi Ivan (Dynamic Doctors Uganda)
A008 — Youth-driven solutions for improved SRHR in Mayuge District — Nakagolo Sumaya (Mayuge District)
A019 — Learn from the Expert, Make Informed Sexual Decisions — Ssekiziyivu Stephene (CHAAKYD)
A032 — Inclusive SRHR & services — Dennis Odwar (NUDIPU)
A022 — Contradictions in value systems & realities of sexuality/contraceptive use among youths in Karamoja — Ojanduru Lillian (MakSPH)
A013 — Infanticide in Uganda: Social determinants & the case for reproductive justice — Nana Koomson & Alupo Katia Olaro (Afya na Haki)

Track B: SDH for Communicable Diseases (Aswa)

Chairs: Peter Ijotre; Aggrey Nshekanabo
B015 — The Power of Integration: Advancing girls’ health & livelihoods through the Leesu Initiative — Anthony Munguriek (Reach A Hand Uganda)
B012 — Social & economic empowerment interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS and health pandemics: Mpox & Ebola — Jane Tushabe (AWAC)

Workshop 05: Mental Health & SDH (Kyoga)

Chair: Vincent Mujune (Strong Minds Uganda)
CW01 — Breaking siloed systems of care: Using a multisectoral approach to promote the right to mental health in under-served communities — Strong Minds Uganda

Track D: Multi-sectoral Collaboration Models (Kafu)

Chairs: Dr. Shaban Mugerwa; Akram Zziwa
D017 — Eviction of Indigenous Peoples & its impact on their right to health: the Batwa in Uganda — Dr. Irene Namae (Judiciary of Uganda)
D018 — The Stand-Up Project model: Human-rights approaches, service delivery & research for holistic SRHR outcomes — Wilson Senyonyi (Oxfam Uganda)
D015 — Coordinated multi-sectoral responses to public health emergencies in Uganda: Lessons from 2025 Ebola & 2024–25 Mpox — Stuart Ssebibubbu (Afya na Haki)
D016 — Breaking barriers: Advancing SRHR through youth advocacy, digital innovation & community-led solutions — Nabukeera Doreen (Movement of Women Living with HIV/AIDS)
D021 — Assessing the role of ICT in access to SRH information & combating teenage pregnancy (Luuka District) — Eriya Turyamureeba (MUK)
D019 — Navigating the funding freeze to uphold the right to health in Eastern Africa’s HIV/AIDS response — Kirabo Edwin (ICWEA)

12:20–12:40 · Questions & discussion (all rooms)

Closing Ceremony Bunyonyi

13:00–14:30 Conference summary & emerging priorities — Faith Nantongo (CEHURD)
13:00–14:30 The Uganda Declaration on Social Determinants of Health — Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze (Director, Public Health, MoH)
13:00–14:30 Conference closure — CEHURD & Government Official
14:30 Lunch & Departure