Reach A Hand Africa

Ugandan stories deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared. Through Kwiso Movie Nights, we are creating spaces for audiences to experience local cinema, appreciate the creativity of Ugandan filmmakers, and support the distribution of homegrown films within Uganda and beyond. In collaboration with V&A Uganda, we are championing this vision by bringing audiences together to watch and appreciate local productions. Our recent screening of The Unforgivable was another opportunity to celebrate Ugandan storytelling and contribute to building a film culture where local productions find audiences and receive the recognition they deserve. #KwisoMovieNights #ReachAHandAfrica

As we commemorate the 16 Days of Activism, we recognise and appreciate the voices and efforts of those challenging HIV-related stigma, spreading awareness and encouraging communities to lead with empathy rather than judgment. Knowing your HIV status is an act of responsibility, not fear. Living with HIV is not the end of the road, and no one should face stigma or discrimination because of their status. Together, we can create communities where people feel safe getting tested, accessing treatment, seeking support, and living with dignity. Let’s replace stigma with understanding, fear with knowledge and judgment with compassion. #16DaysOfActivism #ReachAhandAfrica

Bringing essential health services closer to communities creates opportunities for more people to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. In celebration of Obongi Day, the U-Decide MOA team conducted an integrated community health outreach at Lionga Boma Grounds in Obongi Town Council, providing family planning information and services alongside cervical and breast cancer screening, HIV and hepatitis B testing, malaria testing and child immunisation. The outreach reached 500 people with SRHR information (400 females and 100 males), with 78 women and girls accessing family planning services, including 6 bilateral tubal ligations. A total of 1,244 condoms were also distributed. Through community mobilisation, health education and integrated service delivery, we continue to make essential health services more accessible to the communities we serve. #UDecideMOA #ReachAHandAfrica

Real change begins with the choices we make today. The goals we set, the decisions we take and the steps we are willing to make all shape the future we want to create. It starts with taking responsibility for our own growth, being intentional about our actions and choosing to become better every day. Recently, one of our peers took this conversation to Youth Voice on NBS Plus, sharing perspectives and reminding young people that the power to create change begins with them. Because before we can inspire change around us, we must be willing to start with ourselves. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica – at Kampala, Uganda

Learning to swim goes beyond staying afloat; it is about developing the skills and confidence needed to stay safe in and around water. Yesterday in Rakai, learners from St. Adrian Primary School and St. Edward Primary School continued their beginner swimming sessions, focusing on two essential techniques: the back float and gliding. Through these practical lessons, learners are building their ability to maintain balance, move through the water, and develop stronger swimming foundations. The learners will complete their sessions next week as we prepare to welcome another cohort to the pool. #OmanyiOkuwuga #DrowningPrevention #TulwanyiseOkubbira – at Kampala, Uganda

Learning water safety starts with creating awareness early. Following the PLE break, our team resumed school outreach sessions, reaching 509 learners across three primary schools: Awoja Bridge Primary School (178), Tubur Primary School (193) and Merok Primary School (138). Through interactive question-and-answer sessions guided by water safety flashcards, learners explored important safety practices, strengthened their understanding of drowning prevention and learned how to recognise and respond to potential risks around water. The sessions also brought together seven teachers, bringing the total number of participants reached to 516. By taking water safety education into schools, we are equipping children and educators with knowledge that can help prevent drowning incidents, promote safer communities and protect lives. #DrowningPrevention #OmanyiOkuwuga #TulwanyiseOkubbira #WaterSafety – at Kampala, Uganda

Good leadership starts with leading yourself, making responsible choices, and positively influencing those around you. But becoming a good leader also means being a supportive friend, staying positive and recognising the impact of your actions on others. At St. Andrew's Rubindi High School, learners explored what it means to be intentional about personal growth, build positive relationships and become leaders who motivate others to do better. We continue to encourage young people to recognise their potential, develop their leadership abilities and understand that meaningful leadership begins with the everyday choices they make. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

Taking charge of your health begins with having the right information and knowing how to put it into practice. From understanding HIV prevention to maintaining good oral hygiene, young people need accurate, practical health information to make informed decisions. During our engagement at St. Andrew's Rubindi High School, learners explored HIV prevention options, including PrEP and PEP, and learnt how these interventions help reduce the risk of HIV infection. When young people understand their health and have the knowledge to protect it, they are better positioned to make choices that support their well-being. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

Good leadership starts with leading yourself, making responsible choices, and positively influencing those around you. But becoming a good leader also means being a supportive friend, staying positive and recognising the impact of your actions on others. At St. Andrew's Rubindi High School, learners explored what it means to be intentional about personal growth, build positive relationships and become leaders who motivate others to do better. We continue to encourage young people to recognise their potential, develop their leadership abilities and understand that meaningful leadership begins with the everyday choices they make. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

Menstruation is a normal part of growing up, yet stigma, misinformation, and silence can make it difficult for young people to understand and manage their menstrual health with confidence. At Unique High School, conversations about menstrual health help learners recognise that periods are nothing to be ashamed of. We also encourage boys to be part of these conversations by challenging period stigma, showing empathy, and creating an environment where girls can manage their periods with dignity. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

A supportive environment can make a significant difference in how young people navigate the pressures and challenges of growing up. From relationships and personal boundaries to academic and social expectations, adolescents need spaces where they can express themselves, feel heard and make decisions without fear of judgement. At Unique High School, we continue to encourage young people to look out for one another, practise empathy and recognise the importance of mental well-being. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

Consent is not a one-time decision; it is an ongoing choice. Someone may agree to something and later change their mind, and that decision must always be respected. Consent can be withdrawn at any point, and no one should feel pressured to continue with something they are no longer comfortable with. Understanding consent means recognising that everyone has the right to set boundaries, communicate their choices, and have those choices respected. A yes can become a no, and that no must always be respected. #BeBetter #ReachAHandAfrica

Creating an environment where adolescents can make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health requires collective responsibility, accurate information, and supportive communities. When trusted community leaders and educators are equipped to support adolescents, we move closer to a society where young people can exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights, make informed choices, and shape their futures with confidence. #ProtectSRHR #ReachAHandAfrica

Swimming is more than a recreational skill; it is a life-saving ability that can make the difference between life and death. Equipping children with the confidence and skills to navigate water safely is an essential step towards building communities where drowning is preventable. We kicked off our November swimming lessons with learners from St. Adrian P/S, who have made encouraging progress in their beginner sessions. The learners can now float and swim independently, without flotation aids. This progress is an important step towards building water confidence, strengthening survival skills and creating a generation better equipped to stay safe around water. As we work towards making drowning prevention a shared community responsibility, teaching children how to swim remains a critical part of ensuring that preventable drowning incidents no longer claim lives in our communities. #DrowningPrevention #OmanyiOkuwuga #TulwanyiseOkubbira #ReachAHandAfrica

With Ebola cases continuing to rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, awareness and vigilance remain critical in preventing further transmission. Understanding how the virus spreads, recognising possible symptoms, and consistently observing recommended prevention measures are essential to protecting individuals, families and communities. Preventing Ebola requires collective responsibility. Communities must remain informed, avoid contact with suspected cases, and seek immediate medical attention when symptoms appear. #EbolaPreparedness #ReachAHandAfrica