1. From choice, a world of possibilities Accelerating Access to priority Sexual and Reproductive Health A member of RH Commodity Security in Uganda: Perspectives of Civil Society Organization LLY MUGUMYA Elly Mugumya Executive Director, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) RH Supplies Coalition Meeting. London, United Kingdom June 4, 2009

2. Successes 1.0 Civil Society Organizations have built networks to advance RHCS in Uganda: RH Supplies Advocacy Network has been formed and is coordinated by RHU with 14 member organizations The network has engaged MPs in dialogue to increase funding level and change policy for disbursement of funds for RH Commodity LLY MUGUMYA

3. Trend of the Unmet need of FP (%) 2.0Mobilized communities to demand for FP leading to high unmet need and total demand for contraceptives

4. Successes-Cont 3.0The private sector including CSO is the largest source of FP services in Uganda (65%-DHS 2006) LLY MUGUMYA

5. Challenges: 1. Some high level political statement contradict approved government policy and undermine RHCS in Uganda 2.Funding and Expenditure  Limited government contribution to the RH commodity budget line.  Inability to ensure that general and sector budget support contain RH commodities and are ring fenced to avoid fungibility.  Low sector budget for SRH in general and RHCS in particular  Under expenditure of resources allocated for procurement of contraceptives (less than 50%) LLY MUGUMYA

6. Challenges:- cont 3. Private sector minimal involvement in coordination mechanisms (not represented on National & District Medicines & Therapeutic Committees) 4.Lack of formal mechanism for civil society to access supplies through the government credit line.

7. High prices of medicines including contraceptives amidst poverty (31% live on less than $1 a day) Cost of FP method for one year CYP ( Oral Pills $2.35-$5.69, Injectables $3.60, Condoms $3.82, IUD $1.10, Implant $3.29)

8. Opportunities 1. High and growing unmet need for FP supplies 2. Conducive policy environment 3. There are some high profile advocates for RH with a particular focus on RH commodity security (MPs, Media, Medicine Coalitions, professional bodies etc) 4. Multiple NGOs & CSO’s in SRH 5. Private sector is vibrant & offers further potential for bridging the funding gap and widening choice of contraceptives

9. Growing unmet need and demand due to high population growth offers potential market for contraceptives

10. Acknowledgements International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Ministry of Health (RH Division); Association of Women Ministers and Members of Parliament (AWMMP); Members of the RH Supplies Advocacy Network

11. Thank you Elly Mugumya Executive Director Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) rhu@rhu.or.ug 4 th June 2009