Annual Report: Advocacy for Better Health

It empowers citizens to demand improved quality, availability, and accessibility of health and social services. The project covers 35 districts in western, central, and eastern regions of Uganda. The project is grounded in the beliefs that if citizens' knowledge and awareness of their rights and responsibilities were increased, and if the capacity of CSOs was built to effectively empower and represent communities, then citizens would believe and have confidence that they can hold their leaders accountable and influence them to change health and social policies in their favor. ABH aims at achieving three Results Areas: citizens demand improved quality of health and social services, CSOs effectively advocate for issues of citizens' concern in the health and social sectors, and institutional capacity of CSOs strengthened. The thematic areas of focus for the project are HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning, and orphans and other vulnerable children. ABH works with communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) to generate evidence and champion advocacy efforts. The project's goal is to empower citizens to demand better health and social services from their duty bearers. This is achieved through a combination of community mobilization, capacity building of CSOs, and advocacy efforts. The project targets citizens, CSOs, and duty bearers, with a focus on improving the quality, availability, and accessibility of health and social services. ABH has established partnerships with various stakeholders, including government institutions, CSOs, and community-based organizations. These partnerships are crucial in ensuring that the project's goals and objectives are achieved. The project has also established a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The project's impact is expected to be significant, with improved health and social services outcomes in the target districts. The project's success will depend on the effective implementation of its activities, the level of community engagement, and the capacity of CSOs to advocate for citizens' concerns. The project's geographic coverage includes 35 districts in western, central, and eastern regions of Uganda. The districts are Kayunga, Luwero, Nakasongola, Kalangala, Kaliro, Mayuge, Mbale, Sironko, Bududa, Budaka, Pallisa, Kumi, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, Butaleja, Busia, Bugiri, Iganga, Kamuli, Namutumba, Mpigi, Mityana, Sembabule, Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Ibanda, Kanungu, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kasese, Kiruhura, and Bushenyi. The project's reporting period is from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018. During this period, the project achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of partnerships with various stakeholders, the development of a robust monitoring and evaluation system, and the implementation of community mobilization and capacity building activities. The project's Results Areas are citizens demand improved quality of health and social services, CSOs effectively advocate for issues of citizens' concern in the health and social sectors, and institutional capacity of CSOs strengthened. The project's thematic areas of focus are HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning, and orphans and other vulnerable children.