By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
The Vice Chancellor, Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng has lauded the activity implementers of the ‘Enhancing Integration of Adolescent Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care in Northern Uganda: A Citizen Science, Gender-Transformative Approach (CAFFP-PAC) Project, for being effective and accountable in the undertaking of the programmes scheduled in the first six months.
While chairing the Project Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting on 30th June 2025, Prof. Ogwal Okeng noted that strict adherence to timelines by implementers and other stakeholders during the period was evidence that the project will yield fruits. The first phase of CAFFP-PAC ran from January to June 2025. The project, funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) will run for 3 years.
“Let us be professional, transparent and accountable as we perform different tasks of the project,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng cautioned. He added that timely accountability attracts further fundings. The meeting was held at Grace Palace Hotel, Lira City.
Associate Prof. Bernard Omech, the Principal Investigator, said that all project milestones for the period that ended, have been successfully accomplished and a budget and workplan for the next phase (July to December 2025) was already drawn, awaiting funding.
Prof. Omech noted that Ministry of Health technical representative at the Project Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) is needed to ensure they (the Ministry) are fully aware of the project activities and take ownership, a decision unanimously supported by the committee.
He added that there is need to strengthen Lira University Grants office roles on monitoring and evaluation of grants, financing and installation of research administration system.
On the implementation progress, GLOFORD Uganda, an NGO in the region, also a partner in the PAC-PAC Project, headed by Dr. Ongom Morris Chris, successfully conducted all the start up activities and aligned roles for all the staffs engaged including Reproductive Health Uganda, another Civil Society Organisation (CSO) partner in the project.
The following were reportedly achieved by GLOFORD during the period:
- All Items under the approved Budget were procured in Line with the Procurement Policy, notably 3 New Motor bikes were procured using the budget allocated to 2 bikes.
- 2 GLOFORD Staffs expressed interest, applied and were awarded Scholarship for Masters’ Training at Lira University.
- More than 15 Categories of stakeholders were mapped and profiled based on their influence and power on the CAFFP-PAC Project.
- The Database has been established. Upon Stakeholders’ mapping, Specific engagement strategies were proposed based on each category. GLOFORD has successfully purchased/subscribed for one-year Zoom package.
- Two Meetings have already been conducted by GLOFORD and Partners (RHU, Lira Local Government and Lira University).
- GLOFORD Participated at the Local and Regional Inception Meeting, Procured IEC Materials and mobilized stakeholders for both Inception and Project Launch.
- GLOFORD Adopted the Participatory mapping approach, reprogrammed its design and conducted the exercise at the 6 research sites (Aromo, Agali, Agweng, Ogur, Barapwo and Ober HC IV). 60 Citizen Scientists were selected.
- This Activity was programmed to be conducted at Margarita Palace Hotel. Re-Programming was done together with the work Package Leads of Lira University to ensure subcounty level entry and Endorsement by stakeholders from 4 sub counties and 1 division in the city.
Lessons Learnt
- Leveraging district health structures and academic institutions strengthens credibility and local ownership of project activities.
- Participation during proposal development in a consortium improves understanding and adoption of the research project design during implementation.
- Interdependence of activities/sequencing requires integrated Planning. E.g Stakeholder engagement workshop depends on successful completion of mapping activities and Inception.
Lira District Local Government health sector performance review was presented by Ariko Geoffrey, the Biostatistician, indicating that teenage (10-19 years) pregnancies was on the rise in Lira District and Lira City hence dire need for special attention.
Ariko revealed that the percentage of adolescent girls (19 years and below) who experienced an abortion and received post-abortion family planning were 30.8% (October –December 2024) and 31.8% (January-March 2025).
The Acting University Secretary, Atim Tom Richard hailed partners for the collaboration in the adolescent health project. “We are excited and appreciative to the project funders and all stakeholders in this huge project. It will go a long way in resolving reproductive health problems of our young girls and others,” Atim observed.
“Let us do more and more research in health sector and come out with accurate data to inform decision making processes and health initiatives,” Atim advised.
Prof. Omech acknowledged the following team members and partners for their efforts in achieving the project objectives. They are:
Project Team
- Associate Prof. Dr. Bernard Omech (PI)
- Dr. Morris Chris Ongom (Co-PI)
- Mr. Edmonton Acheka (Co-PI)
- Dr. Murara Odette (Co-PI)
- Dr. Amir Kabunga (Co-I)
- Associate Prof Judith Akello Abal (Co.I)
- Dr Samson Udho (Co.I)
Partners
- ANeSA. IDRC, CRDI, APHRC
- Lira University management –PTAC and Project Implementation Committee members
