Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) is a community-based non-government organization working with the urban and rural poor communities all over Uganda. ROM provides a holistic model of care to People Living with HIV and where necessary their families, taking care of the medical, social, emotional, and economical aspects of their lives to foster dignified living.
ROM was initiated in May 2001 at Our Lady of Africa Mbuya Catholic Parish to address the AIDS scourge in Kampala communities and has since experienced rapid growth, scaling up community health interventions across Uganda.
Introduction
This report presents a summary of all programs and activities implemented by Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative in the Calendar/Financial year 2024. It highlights the achievements, challenges, lessons learned and way forward for the institution.
We bring you key program areas that include HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Adolescents, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Non-Communicable Diseases, Economic Empowerment, Young Mothers, Mother and Child Care, Violence Prevention and of course something about dear Grandmothers.
ROM Projects
With support from different funders, ROM implemented the following Projects.
1). Kampala HIV Project (KHP)
The Kampala HIV Project is a five-year initiative aimed at reducing HIV and TB incidence in the Kampala region. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the KHP supports comprehensive prevention, care and treatment services while strengthening the capacity of national referral hospitals, Kampala Capital City Authority supported health facilities, HIV Centres of excellence and Community Organizations.
2). USAID/ Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Kampala Activity
The USAID/OVC projects supports orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers across Kampala’s five divisions. The Activity focuses on preventing new HIV infections and reducing vulnerability through health, education, child protection, youth skills training, and household economic strengthening, while ensuring treatment continuity and viral load suppression among children and adolescents living with HIV.
3). The USAID Local Partner Health Services – TB Activity (LPHS-TB)
This is a five-year project (2023–2026) implemented by ROM in Nakawa Division, Kampala,
aiming at reducing Uganda’s tuberculosis burden. Supported by USAID, the Activity focuses on
increasing TB treatment through enhanced case detection, prevention, diagnosis and care.
4). Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
This Maternal and Child Health project implemented by ROM in Nakawa Division, is a five-year initiative supported by the Mennonite Central Committee. It aims at improving maternal and child health among vulnerable mothers by increasing access to health services and promoting financial stability through improved household incomes.
5). SHE SOARS-Sexual Reproductive Health and Economic Empowerment Supporting Out of School Adolescent Girls and Boys’ Rights and Skills
SHE SOARS, supported by CARE Uganda and funded by Global Affairs Canada, is a ROM led project promoting Health and economic empowerment for out-of-school adolescent girls and boys (ages 10-19) in Nakawa and Makindye Divisions, Kampala. The project collaborates with community stakeholders to increase equitable access to health services while supporting economic skills and rights for youth.
6). SidEcole
With funding from our friends of SidEcole, ROM provides education support, alternative skilling, health, nutrition and psychological support to vulnerable children and their families affected by HIV.
