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Bukooli Health Initiative & Women's Right
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Bukooli health Initiative & Women's Rights
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Bukooli Health Initiative & Women's Rights
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Explore Our Cause

Executive Director

Ms Nakimuli Aisha Ssebagala

 

Who We Are

Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights (BHIWR) is a feminist  Community Based Organization with Registration Number NMGO/1050/764. The organization was founded by Nakimuli Aisha Ssebagala who mobilized others to join her in Promoting Health and Well-being of Women and other minority Groups, advocates for women’s legal rights but also championing a resilient Female Sex Workers’ (FSW) movement that advocates for equitable, Economic and sustainable Universal Healthcare.

BHIWR is committed to continue challenging stigma, discrimination and criminalization of all forms, championing climate change, access to comprehensive quality health services and GBV services including mental health services, advocacy campaigns and conducting research and capacity strengthening programs on leadership and Grassroot movement building targeting Female Sex Workers (FSWs) with multiple, compounding and intersecting vulnerabilities especially

Our Vision

Promoting Health and Well-being of Women and other minority Groups

Our Mission

To build a resilient Women movement that advocates for equitable and sustainable Universal Healthcare, and Promotion of Human Rights and Social Economic Justice of Women and other Minority Groups in Uganda

Our Strategic Areas

Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR)

The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is committed to advocating for the health, dignity, and rights of women and girls by ensuring access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) services . Our mission is to empower communities with knowledge, resources, and healthcare services that promote well-being and gender equality.

Prevention & Response Programs for Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a critical human rights issue that affects individuals, particularly women and girls, in various ways, including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is committed to addressing GBV through prevention, protection, and response programs aimed at creating a safer and more empowered society.

Health and Safety Programs for Sex Workers

Sex workers face unique health risks and social challenges , including exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender-based violence (GBV), discrimination, and limited access to healthcare services. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and human rights of sex workers through comprehensive programs that provide medical care, legal protection, and economic empowerment

Support for Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and emotional well-being are essential for overall health, yet many individuals, especially women and vulnerable groups, face stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, and stigmawithout access to proper support. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is committed to providing holistic mental health servicesthat promote healing, resilience, and empowerment within our communities.

Championing Climate Change

Climate change poses a serious threat to health, livelihoods, and gender equality, particularly affecting women, children, and marginalized communities. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rightsis committed to climate action, environmental sustainability, and resilience-building to safeguard communities from the effects of climate change.

Bussiness Development and Enterprenuership Programs

Economic empowerment is key to improving livelihoods, reducing poverty, and promoting gender equality. Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is dedicated to supporting women, youth, and marginalized groups in developing sustainable businesses through skills training, financial support, and market access

Training and Capacity Building

Empowering individuals and communities through skills development, knowledge-sharing, and leadership training is essential for sustainable progress. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rightsis committed to equipping women, youth, and marginalized groups with practical skills, professional development, and leadership training to enhance their economic and social well-being.

Support for Migrants and Transgenger Women.

Migrants and transgender women often face discrimination, violence, lack of healthcare access, and economic hardships. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rights is committed to providingend=”365″>safe spaces, healthcare, legal support, and economic empowerment for these vulnerable groups.

Women Empowerment

Women’s empowerment is key to breaking cycles of poverty, improving health outcomes, and promoting gender equality. The Bukooli Health Initiative & Women’s Rightsis committed to equipping women with education, economic opportunities, leadership training, and healthcare access to help them thrive in all aspects of life

Our Stories

Akello knows everything about the Namayingo Trading Center in Namayingo district. She has been a sex worker here for more than 10 years. Akello is a bright energetic lady, praised for her honesty and care for other female sex workers. She has had a steady partner for eight years who is currently working in Kenya. They divorced. Akello is living with HIV. She is a giving information related to HIV. “I speak in specifics and I know the reality,” says Akello as she opens her purse to point out the condoms and lubricator she shares with other girls. Akello says that if someone gives you 10,000 shillings how will you say no? That money can help you. But it means that you may not use a condom,” says Akello Empowering peer leaders like Akello is critical because they live and work among key populations. These peer leaders are leveraging their position to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment. In addition, they play an important role in the supply chain by making sure that their peers are equipped with PrEP, condoms, and lubricants, and support them to adhere to the prescribed treatment. “Everyone knows me. I go bar-to-bar to see that the girls have the supplies they need. I check that they are getting their medicine. And I escort those who are afraid to come to the Knowledge Room. For me I speak the truth. I tell them to come to the Knowledge Room to get help, use condoms, but also to start Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and protect themselves.” The Knowledge Room is a refurbished shipping container in the center of Namayingo Town Hall that serves at-risk members of the community, including female sex workers. It is one of several Drop In Centers established under the District Health System to provide safe and conducive HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment services for marginalized and at-risk groups. This Knowledge Room, part of the Namayingo Health Center IV, is supported by the UGANDAN GOVERNMENT through USAID FUNDS To Enhance Services in Eastern Uganda. The room is equipped with a pool table and a television, making it an ideal hang-out spot. It is staffed by health workers and social workers who provide HIV services. The center also provides free condoms, lubricant, and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis. Akello’s dream is for all the girls on the street to learn occupational skills and make another living. Her reality is different, but her honesty and concern for the health and wellbeing of her peers and clients is creating a better world around her. accessibility, and quality of integrated health services including HIV prevention, care, and treatment, TB, maternal, neonatal and child health, family planning, and other primary care services.
Akello
Akello
Bukooli Health Initiative and Women’s Rights is committed to empowering widows in Bulamba, a community in Central Namayingo, with a population of around 2,000. Among them, 183 accredited widows have been identified by BHIWR, each facing significant challenges in providing for their families after the loss of their spouses. Widows in this community, like many in Namayingo, often experience extreme financial and social hardships due to limited access to economic opportunities and societal support. BHIWR’s mission is to change this narrative by breaking the cycle of poverty and giving these women the tools to rebuild their lives independently. In partnership with our Funders BHIWR is launching a comprehensive vocational training program aimed at transforming the lives of 30 widows at a time. The program will focus on three primary areas: tailoring and sewing, pig farming, and hairstyling and salon management. These are highly sought-after skills that can provide a sustainable income for the widows and their families. Over the course of an 18-month intensive training, participants will receive hands-on, practical education in their chosen fields, equipping them with the expertise necessary to start their own businesses or secure employment. By the end of the program, each widow will be capable of supporting their family, creating long-term economic stability. In addition to vocational training, participants will attend weekly civic education classes. These sessions are designed to foster a deeper understanding of their civic duties and responsibilities, enhancing their ability to engage with their communities and manage their businesses effectively. By combining vocational and civic education, BHIWR aims to build not only economic independence but also a sense of empowerment and leadership among the widows. BHIWR’s holistic approach recognizes that empowering widows is key to strengthening families and communities. By supporting this initiative, you can play a part in giving these women the skills and knowledge they need to overcome the challenges of widowhood and create a brighter future for themselves and their children. Join us in making a difference today!
Bukooli Health Initiativ
Bukooli Health Initiativ Founder & CEO

Key Partners

Bukooli Health Initiative and Women’s Rights  partners with individual persons, the private sector, Civil Society Organizations as well as the Government both directly and indirectly, at local, national and international levels.
 
 
 

Implementation Partners

  1. Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN) Uganda-
  2. – Magale Women Alliance against HIV and AIDS (MWAA)-CBO
  3. – Namayingo Health Center IV
  4. – Local Governments (KCCA, Namaying District)
  5. – Religious Institutions (St. John Baptist Catholic Church, Buwambwa Baptist Church)

Our Team

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