THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA National AIDS Conference Presentation during the 4 th Uganda AIDS partnership Forum, Munyonyo, 31 st January 2006 By James Kaboggoza-Ssembatya, OVC Focal point person, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development OVER VIEW OF THE OVC POLICY AND PROGRAMME PLAN

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Status 56% of the Uganda 26.8 Millions are children 56% of the Uganda 26.8 Millions are children 1.8 Million are orphans (14.6% of children) 1.8 Million are orphans (14.6% of children) About 3 million are categorised as vulnerable children About 3 million are categorised as vulnerable children 1 in every 4 households has at least 1 orphan 1 in every 4 households has at least 1 orphan 40% of Uganda’s households are living below poverty line 40% of Uganda’s households are living below poverty line

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Background MGLSD in conjunction with other stakeholders developed a National Orphans Policy (NOP) and the National Strategic Program Plan for the Intervention (NSPPI) MGLSD in conjunction with other stakeholders developed a National Orphans Policy (NOP) and the National Strategic Program Plan for the Intervention (NSPPI) Launched in June 2005 Launched in June 2005 Addresses not only HIV/AIDS orphans but all other OVC since the challenges and concerns are the same Addresses not only HIV/AIDS orphans but all other OVC since the challenges and concerns are the same

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Guiding frameworks The National Orphans Policy provides a framework for OVC response in Uganda The National Orphans Policy provides a framework for OVC response in Uganda It emphasizes the multisectoral, integrated, gender sensitive, rights based approach to reach OVC It emphasizes the multisectoral, integrated, gender sensitive, rights based approach to reach OVC

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA NSPPI Provides a strategic framework guiding implementation of the NOP Provides a strategic framework guiding implementation of the NOP Provides principles and guidelines for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to planning, implementation and M&E of OVC interventions Provides principles and guidelines for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to planning, implementation and M&E of OVC interventions It is an integral part of the Uganda Social Development Investment Plan (SDIP) and PEAP, within the framework of the MDGs and UNGASS It is an integral part of the Uganda Social Development Investment Plan (SDIP) and PEAP, within the framework of the MDGs and UNGASS

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Guiding principles Building on the Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming Building on the Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming Making the Family and Community the First Line of Response Making the Family and Community the First Line of Response Focusing on the Most Vulnerable Children and Communities Focusing on the Most Vulnerable Children and Communities Reducing Vulnerability Reducing Vulnerability Facilitating Community Participation and Empowerment Facilitating Community Participation and Empowerment Promoting Gender Equity Promoting Gender Equity Treating Recipients with Respect Treating Recipients with Respect

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Guiding principles Reducing Discrimination and Stigmatisation Reducing Discrimination and Stigmatisation Ensuring the Social Inclusion of Marginalised Groups Ensuring the Social Inclusion of Marginalised Groups Ensuring the Participation of Vulnerable Children and Families Ensuring the Participation of Vulnerable Children and Families Strengthening Partnerships Strengthening Partnerships Delivering Integrated and Holistic Services Delivering Integrated and Holistic Services Supporting Services Delivery through Decentralization Supporting Services Delivery through Decentralization Designing Age-Sensitive Programmes Designing Age-Sensitive Programmes

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Objectives of the NOP and the NSPPI i) Create a conducive environment for the survival, growth, development and participation of vulnerable children and households ii) Deliver integrated and equitably distributed quality essential services iii) Strengthen the legal, policy and institutional frameworks iv) E nhance capacities of Households, Communities and other implementing agents and agencies

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Strategies for implementation Direct interventions reaching the children and their households Direct interventions reaching the children and their households Mobilisation of resources, advocacy at various levels and promotion of best practices realized Mobilisation of resources, advocacy at various levels and promotion of best practices realized Collaborations of the Ministry with other Ministries, CSOs, the private sector and local government Collaborations of the Ministry with other Ministries, CSOs, the private sector and local government Provision of leadership and coordination of implementation of activities Provision of leadership and coordination of implementation of activities Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation process and intervention Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation process and intervention

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA CORE PROGRAMME AREAS Building Block I Socio-economic security Socio-economic security Food and nutrition security Food and nutrition security Care and support Care and support Conflict management Conflict management Building Block IV Capacity Enhancement Capacity Enhancement Building Block II Education Education Health Health Psycho-social support Psycho-social support Building Block III Child protection Child protection Legal advice and representation Legal advice and representation

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Activities to date Coordinating various funding mechanisms Coordinating various funding mechanisms –(Global fund - Round 3 specifically targeting to support the implementation of the NSPPI for OVC Core Initiative granting mechanism Core Initiative granting mechanism –To date three granting rounds (2 ABY, 1 OVC) - To date 22 ABY and 11 OVC grants issued to cover the 10 core program areas of OVC and 1 core area of the ABY (abstinence) Development of a third party granting mechanism Development of a third party granting mechanism

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Activities Disseminate the NSPPI to stakeholders (Govt, CSOs, FBOs, districts (39) and subcounties Disseminate the NSPPI to stakeholders (Govt, CSOs, FBOs, districts (39) and subcounties Redefining the NOSC and the TWGs to guide and inform implementation Redefining the NOSC and the TWGs to guide and inform implementation Lobbying partners and other OVC stakeholders for more support to implement the NSPPI. Lobbying partners and other OVC stakeholders for more support to implement the NSPPI. Development and implementation of various manuals, toolkits and guidelines to direct implementation and coordination of OVC activities Development and implementation of various manuals, toolkits and guidelines to direct implementation and coordination of OVC activities

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Activities Development of the OVC MIS to measure the OVC response (national indicators developed) Development of the OVC MIS to measure the OVC response (national indicators developed) Designing and implementing the OVC capacity building plan in the Ministry and other partners up to district level Designing and implementing the OVC capacity building plan in the Ministry and other partners up to district level Development of the OVC communication and advocacy strategy Development of the OVC communication and advocacy strategy Development of the OVC Website Development of the OVC Website

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Challenges of implementing NSPPI activities Resources to implement the plan Resources to implement the plan Lack of National Ministry vote to implement OVC activities, mostly targeting donor funds Lack of National Ministry vote to implement OVC activities, mostly targeting donor funds Harmonising needs of various sources of funds for OVC in terms of guidelines, requirements and focal area coverage. Harmonising needs of various sources of funds for OVC in terms of guidelines, requirements and focal area coverage. How to enhance districts capacities, mobilization and how to monitor and coordinate implementation of OVC interventions at district level and lower levels How to enhance districts capacities, mobilization and how to monitor and coordinate implementation of OVC interventions at district level and lower levels

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Challenges… Coordinating and Monitoring of CSOs (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) with independent funding sources and spread all over the country Coordinating and Monitoring of CSOs (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) with independent funding sources and spread all over the country Defining outcome and output for quality programming Defining outcome and output for quality programming Strengthening local governments and CSO partnerships Strengthening local governments and CSO partnerships

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Challenges Integrating HIV prevention, care and treatment with traditional OVC programs Integrating HIV prevention, care and treatment with traditional OVC programs Geographical and programmatic gaps Geographical and programmatic gaps Ensuring holistic approach in OVC service delivery Ensuring holistic approach in OVC service delivery

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA Conclusion The implementation of the NOP and NSPPI requires a coordinated multisectoral approach in order to avoid duplication of the minimal resources targeting the OVC The implementation of the NOP and NSPPI requires a coordinated multisectoral approach in order to avoid duplication of the minimal resources targeting the OVC

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA The end Thank you Thank you