USAID/Uganda OVC Portfolio Review

The review aimed to assess the effectiveness of the USAID-funded Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) portfolio in Uganda. The review focused on the social service systems and child protection capacity, targeting and enrollment, graduation, case management systems and referral mechanisms, HIV and OVC, and coordination among USAID, implementing partners, and the Government of Uganda. The review identified several key findings, including the need for strengthened social service systems and child protection capacity, improved targeting and enrollment processes, and enhanced case management systems and referral mechanisms. The review also highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of HIV-exposed infants and children, as well as the need for increased coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of OVC programs. The review recommended several actions to address the identified gaps and challenges, including the development of a comprehensive OVC strategy, strengthening of social service systems and child protection capacity, and improvement of targeting and enrollment processes. The review also emphasized the need for increased coordination among stakeholders, including USAID, implementing partners, and the Government of Uganda, to ensure effective implementation of OVC programs. The review was conducted through a combination of key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews. The review team consisted of experts from 4Children, IntraHealth, Maestral International, CRS, Makerere University, and other organizations. The review was submitted to USAID Uganda in April 2015. The review highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of OVC in Uganda, particularly in the context of HIV and AIDS. The review emphasized the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing the needs of OVC, including the development of a comprehensive OVC strategy, strengthening of social service systems and child protection capacity, and improvement of targeting and enrollment processes. The review also highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of HIV-exposed infants and children, as well as the need for increased coordination among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of OVC programs. The review recommended several actions to address the identified gaps and challenges, including the development of a comprehensive OVC strategy, strengthening of social service systems and child protection capacity, and improvement of targeting and enrollment processes. The review was conducted in accordance with the USAID OVC Results Framework, which emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of OVC in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The review team worked closely with USAID Uganda and implementing partners to ensure that the review was conducted in a manner that was responsive to the needs of OVC in Uganda.