Stakeholders have underscored the role the digital space can play in the promotion of young people’s sexual health.
The 2024 housing and population census by UBOS indicated that young people make up over
78% of the population, with 78% of those aged 13-18 years currently attending school.
The young people however face several sexual and reproductive health challenges including teenage pregnancy (24%), high sexual gender-based violence, a relatively high HIV prevalence
(2.5% among females and 0% among males), and limited access to SRHR services.
These challenges have been exacerbated by a high unemployment rate (3.4%) and a high dependence ratio of 103 per 100 working age individuals.
Speaking during the 2024 Inter University Dialogue organized by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) at Makerere University, Jacqueline Amongin an East African Legislative Assembly(EALA) representative said with the penetration of devices like smartphones, it is easier for the young people to receive information on sexual health from the digital space.
“The young people must keep safe, live healthy lives and dream bigger. The world has moved from analogue to digital and it is high time our young people made use of the smartphones they have to access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information without stigmatization, discrimination, fear of refusal, lack of privacy and confidentiality and embarrassment,” Amongin said.
The stakeholders said the penetration of gadgets like smartphones and feature phones can be used to the advantage of youths to receive information on sexual health.
“Through platforms like USSD codes and chat bots, young people can easily access sexual reproductive health services, but we should aim to scale up to even those who don’t own mobile phones,” Peter Maker, the RHU finance manager said.
However, the EALA MP said government ought to improve on access to internet, especially in rural areas.
“Most of our rural areas don’t have access to internet and when you talk of digitalization and access to information for, it is hard for rural communities. It therefore requires government connects every health centre to internet and public spaces where young people can easily access information online,” Amongin said.
The manager for gender and youth at Reproductive Health Uganda, Tom Kulumba said the Inter-University Dialogue brings together students from different institutions of higher learning, policy makers and government entities to discuss sexual reproductive health.
He said this year’s much emphasis on leveraging digital technology to drive sexual reproductive health for the young people.
“When you look at the major constituency we are targeting, which are the young people, most of them embrace technology, especially through phones and can access services and information on sexual reproductive health through their phones,” Kulumba said.
“With a big number of Ugandans below the age of 30, as an organization we find it important to extend information to this group of people and through Inter-University Dialogues so they get to know where they can get sexual and reproductive health services that they largely need to improve their health and equally be productive.”
The Makerere University Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli said hailed RHU for the inter university dialogues that said ensure young people access information on sexual and reproductive health.
“This dialogue makes a great step in empowering students to make informed decisions.”
