SAY
SAY connects young people in five West Nile and Acholi districts to inclusive SRHR and SGBV information, referrals and services. Through peer educators, 71 health facilities and community outreach, the programme reached 42,543 young people with services in January-June 2026.
Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Background & Need
The SAY Programme is a four-year initiative (January 2024-December 2027) increasing the use of integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services among young people in refugee settlements and host communities across Adjumani, Moyo, Obongi, Kitgum and Lamwo.
Young people in refugee-hosting and underserved communities face barriers to age-appropriate information, responsive care and safe referrals, including commodity shortages, inadequate information materials, cultural misconceptions, minority-language needs and the cost of disability-inclusive programming. SAY brings information and services closer to young people while strengthening links with 71 supported health facilities.
Implemented by CARE International in Uganda, Marie Stopes Uganda and Naguru Teenage Centre, with government, health-facility and community partners.
Objectives
To increase utilisation of integrated SRHR and SGBV services among young people living in refugee settlements and host communities across the five programme districts.
- Strengthen young people's SRHR and SGBV knowledge, life skills and confidence to seek youth-responsive information and services.
- Expand access to integrated services through peer education, health camps, flash mobs, facility linkages, counselling and referrals.
- Promote disability inclusion by engaging young people with disabilities, caregivers, parents, disability champions and civil society organisations.
- Create an enabling environment through culturally responsive communication, youth participation, community dialogue and social accountability.
Target Groups
- Young people in refugee settlements and host communities, including out-of-school adolescents, boys and young men, and young people with disabilities.
- Parents, caregivers, peer educators, health workers, youth leaders, CSOs, CBOs and district leaders.
Areas of Implementation
Adjumani, Moyo and Obongi in West Nile, and Kitgum and Lamwo in Acholi, including the refugee settlements of Boroli Zone I (Adjumani), Palabek (Lamwo) and Palorinya (Obongi). Delivered through communities and 71 supported health facilities across the five districts.
Major Activities
- Teen Club meetings and peer education on SRHR, SGBV, life skills and service-seeking.
- Integrated health camps during school holidays and community flash mobs linked to on-site health services.
- Facility-based peer education, health talks, counselling, referrals and community-to-facility linkages.
- Radio talk shows, community radio activities and distribution of IEC materials.
- Disability sensitisation with district community development officers and PWD groups, plus caregiver orientation and mentorship.
- Youth participation in district events and CSO/CBO-led social accountability action planning.
Key Achievements
- 42,543 young people accessed SRHR/SGBV services across 71 supported health facilities (16,451 male, 26,092 female).
- 10,637 refugees — 25% of reported facility reach — accessed information or services through the project.
- Five health camps reached 1,393 people (944 accessed services); 21 flash mobs reached 2,500 people and enabled 1,101 on-site service contacts.
- 1,061 persons with disabilities reached through Teen Clubs, health camps and facility-based peer educators.
- 20 radio and community-radio activities generated 119 calls, 18 text messages and seven referrals; 2,674 IEC materials distributed.
- Client survey: 93% of respondents reported increased SRHR knowledge, 97% knew where to seek support for violence or abuse, and 95% felt more confident making informed health decisions.