Global Fund officials together with Health Minister, Dr Ruth Aceng and Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine.

The Global Fund Mission was recently in Uganda for a range of engagements associated with the programmatic areas and issues concerning Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). The Mission visit was held between May 30^th to June 8^th, 2022.   

The entry meeting of the Global Fund Mission was chaired by the Coordinator of the Funds Coordination Unit of the Global Fund Grants in Uganda Mr. Johnson Mutesigensi who welcomed the Global Fund Mission team and thanked the Global Fund for their support in enabling the implementation of Global Fund programs in Uganda,

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Saman Zaman outlined the main objectives of the visit. He said the GF team was in Uganda to listen and be part of offering solutions.  The Global Fund team had been unable to visit Uganda in 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions that were occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic. Dr. Saman appreciated the work done to ensure timely delivery of Progress Update and Disbursement Reports (PUDRs).  Speaking about procurement and supply chain management, the team highlighted the significant increase in the cost of medical supplies due to the war in Ukraine.

The Global Fund national facilitator for Uganda, Dr. Damian Rutaazana also appreciated the Global Fund for its support to Uganda. He among others highlighted the need to establish a contracts committee and strengthen the procurement function due to the magnitude of the work.   A range of stakeholders participated in the Global Fund mission meetings including among others the Local fund agent (Price Waterhouse Coopers), The Aids Support Organisation, and the National Medical Stores among others.

As part of the Mission, the GF team together with the FCU-GF and TASO staff visited Iganga District to assess the implementation of GF-AGYW-funded initiatives in the district. The District officials appreciated the Global Fund investment in AGYW through TASO and its local implementing partner-the Uganda Development Partners Health Associates (UDHA). The country team acknowledged the challenges raised by the AGYW implementers and pledged to address the issues that required their attention. The team also reiterated the GF’s intention to bring about a better life through continued investment in AGYW services. Relatedly, an AGYW initiative dubbed Education Plus was launched in Uganda by Global Fund partners – UNAIDS, and a range of stakeholders who are keen to improve the circumstances of Adolescent girls and young women.    

The Global Fund Mission team formally crowned its visit to Uganda at a meeting with the Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng who expressed appreciation to the Global Fund for its support towards improving health care provision in Uganda. During the meeting, the Health Minister was glad to learn that Uganda is one of the countries being used as a reference point for other countries in regard to Global Fund executions. “It was a great and proud feeling to hear that work by our teams in Uganda is a benchmark for other countries to learn from and replicate,” said the Health Minister following her meeting with the Global Fund delegation.