The Government of Iceland has joined Denmark and Sweden in a multi-donor programme aimed at strengthening sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and women in Uganda, with a new USD 3 million (about Shs11.1 billion) funding commitment.
The funding will support the Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Empowerment and Rights (SAY Plus+) programme, implemented by the United Nations Population Fund in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Health.
The agreement was signed in Kampala on April 16, with Iceland’s Head of Mission Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir and UNFPA Uganda Representative Kristine Blokhus formalizing the partnership.
The programme targets underserved regions including Acholi, West Nile, Bukedi, Karamoja and Busoga, focusing on improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, adolescent health education and gender-based violence response.
A key component of the funding is the prevention and surgical repair of obstetric fistula—a childbirth injury caused by prolonged or obstructed labour—alongside rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.
Engilbertsdóttir said the condition reflects weaknesses in health systems and remains a human rights and gender equality concern.
“Fistula happens when a health system lacks the capacity to meet the full spectrum of reproductive health needs of women and girls. It is a human rights and gender equality issue,” she said.
She added that Iceland’s contribution builds on previous support and will strengthen prevention, treatment and reintegration services for affected women and girls.
UNFPA said the pooled financing approach with Iceland, Denmark and Sweden will improve coordination and expand impact across Uganda’s underserved regions.
“The SAY Plus+ Programme is our flagship initiative to support the health and rights of vulnerable adolescents, young people and women in Uganda,” said Blokhus.
The Ministry of Health will oversee implementation, while UNFPA will provide technical support.
Officials said the programme aligns with Uganda’s national development priorities and global sustainable development goals on health, gender equality and inequality reduction
