The Union Transport Alliance (UTA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Members of Parliament, transport sector leaders, private sector partners and mental health advocates, has launched the Kili Clear Campaign – One Million Pads for One Million Girls, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling period poverty and helping vulnerable girls remain in school.
Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Reproductive and Infant Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Mugahi, described menstrual hygiene as both a public health and social issue, noting that the lack of access to sanitary pads continues to fuel school absenteeism, teenage pregnancies and poor reproductive health outcomes among adolescent girls.
Dr Mugahi said the government is committed to supporting the initiative through interventions that extend beyond the provision of sanitary pads. He revealed that the Ministry of Health, working together with the Ministry of Education and Sports, is establishing safe changing rooms and improving sanitation facilities in schools, with pilot projects already planned for Northern Uganda.
He added that menstrual hygiene programmes should also be used as platforms to educate girls on reproductive health and sexuality, saying this could help reduce Uganda’s teenage pregnancy rate, which currently stands at about 25 percent.
The campaign ambassador and former National Female Youth MP flag bearer, Diana Ampiire Kampe, urged the government to elevate menstrual health into a national public health priority. She said her engagements with communities across the country have shown that period poverty remains one of the leading barriers to girls’ education, forcing many to miss classes and affecting their mental well-being.
Kampe applauded the men behind the campaign for championing an issue that has traditionally been viewed as a women’s concern and called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to ensure every girl has access to sanitary products.
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on ICT and National Guidance, Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, welcomed the campaign’s commitment to transparency through digital tracking of donations. He said contributors should be able to monitor how their support is utilised, from the point of donation to the beneficiary schools.
Oulanyah said period poverty continues to contribute to school dropouts, particularly in disadvantaged communities, and pledged to mobilise fellow legislators to support the initiative. He also donated Shs5 million towards the campaign.
Mbale City Woman MP Connie Nakayenze Galiwango praised the initiative but challenged organisers to expand its reach, observing that while the target is commendable, millions of girls would still remain without support.
Representing digital payments platform Rukapay, Chief Executive Officer Rowena Turinawe said the company had partnered with the campaign to simplify donations through QR code and USSD payment platforms. She announced a contribution of Shs2 million, enough to support 100 girls for a year, and encouraged Ugandans to embrace digital giving.
UTA Public Relations Officer Amon Mulyowa said the alliance, which brings together boda boda riders, taxi operators, bus companies and truck operators, is using its nationwide network to address pressing social challenges affecting communities.
He said period poverty was identified as one of the major challenges facing girls and women, prompting the transport fraternity to mobilise resources and create awareness across the country.
Former Kagoma North MP Brandon Kintu Alex commended the transport sector for extending its role beyond transport services to champion a social cause that directly impacts education and public health. He pledged Shs500,000 towards the campaign.
Transport sector leaders also announced financial commitments in support of the initiative.
National Bus Union Chairperson Umar Kakaire said the campaign would be rolled out across more than 60 bus companies to mobilise additional resources.
Uganda Taxi Operators Federation Chairperson Haji Rashid Sekindi urged every Ugandan to purchase at least one packet of sanitary pads for a vulnerable schoolgirl, describing the contribution as an investment in the country’s future.
National Boda Boda Union Chairperson Frank Mawejje pledged Shs2 million and announced that boda boda structures across Uganda would mobilise members to support the campaign. He said the union would begin distributing sanitary pads to girls in government schools, starting with Kampala.
The Kili Clear Campaign aims to provide sanitary pads to one million vulnerable schoolgirls across Uganda. Organisers said a donation of Shs20,000 will provide one girl with a year’s supply of sanitary pads, helping reduce school absenteeism, improve menstrual hygiene management and restore dignity to girls while supporting their education.
