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Pushing youth voices into policy as government targets SRHR gaps

28 April 2026, 3:36 pm

Byamukama Alozious

State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has called for urgent, coordinated action to address sexual and reproductive health challenges affecting young people, saying Uganda must invest more in youth-focused services and partnerships to unlock its demographic potential. Speaking at the national dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHR) and the demographic dividend, Barugahara emphasized the need to expand youth-friendly services, especially in rural areas, strengthen financing, and involve communities, civil society and development partners. ““For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” as he underscored the need to support youth through targeted policies and services.,” he said, adding that with over 60 percent of Africa’s population below 25, governments must prioritize policies that respond to the realities young people face.

State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara speaking at the national dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHR) and the demographic dividend

The dialogue, held in Kampala under the theme “Bridging the Gap: From Youth Voices to Policy Action,” was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) with support from AUDA-NEPAD. It served as a follow-up to the regional youth summit in Eswatini and focused on identifying gaps between policy and implementation, while elevating youth-led recommendations into national and regional frameworks. Discussions centered on developing a policy brief to guide action on SRHR and the demographic dividend, while strengthening coordination between government, the health sector and young people.

Stakeholders during the meeting agreed that bridging the gap between policy and lived realities will require sustained investment in education, healthcare access, and youth empowerment programmes, as well as stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure commitments translate into tangible change

Dr Irene Mwenyango, Assistant Commissioner for Adolescent and School Health at the Ministry of Health, said the initiative aims to streamline structures that integrate SRHR services in schools and communities, noting that a multi-sectoral approach is critical to improving the wellbeing of adolescents. “This dialogue is about identifying implementation gaps and ensuring youth-led recommendations inform policy direction at both national and regional levels,” she said.

Health officials warned that persistent social challenges continue to undermine progress, with the Ministry of Health noting that 34 percent of girls in Uganda are married before the age of 18, while 24 percent experience teenage pregnancy. Commissioner for Reproductive Health, Dr Richard Mugahi, described the situation as a “timely investment,” stressing the need for safe home environments and stronger efforts to eliminate domestic violence as part of prevention strategies.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that bridging the gap between policy and lived realities will require sustained investment in education, healthcare access, and youth empowerment programmes, as well as stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure commitments translate into tangible change.