SAY Plus+
SAY Plus+ empowers Ugandans aged 10-24 with youth-friendly SRHR, HIV and GBV information, referrals and services. Across five sub-regions and 13 districts, the programme strengthens peer networks, schools, health facilities and district systems so young people can make informed choices and access respectful care.
Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Background & Need
The Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment (SAY Plus+) Programme is implemented by Naguru Teenage Centre across five sub-regions and 13 districts of Uganda — Acholi, West Nile, Karamoja, Bukedi and Busoga — with strategic support to regional referral hospitals.
Adolescents and young people need accurate information, trusted referral pathways and services that respond to their age and circumstances. A 2026 school assessment identified gaps in SRHR education, referrals, water, sanitation and hygiene, and youth inclusion. SAY Plus+ addresses these needs by linking learners, schools, communities and health facilities while strengthening local planning and accountability.
Objectives
To empower young people to make informed decisions, reduce teenage pregnancies, eliminate gender-based violence, and improve their health and well-being — by expanding access to youth-friendly SRHR services, preventing teenage pregnancy, addressing GBV and promoting comprehensive sexuality education for people aged 10-24.
- Build knowledge, agency and demand for appropriate services among young people.
- Strengthen integrated, youth-friendly SRHR, HIV and GBV service delivery.
- Improve the institutional and community environment through coordination, safeguarding and evidence-based planning.
Target Groups
- Adolescents and young people aged 10-24, including learners, out-of-school young people and peers linked to community and facility services.
- Teachers, health workers, and district and sub-county leaders.
- Community structures that shape young people's access to information and services.
Areas of Implementation
Five sub-regions and 13 districts across Acholi, West Nile, Karamoja, Bukedi and Busoga, with strategic support to regional referral hospitals. Current activity is centred on Kibuku and Butebo districts in Bukedi.
Major Activities
- Feasibility visits, stakeholder mapping and district-government engagement, including MOU discussions.
- Orienting district and sub-county stakeholders and validating district action plans.
- Assessing SRHR, GBV, HIV and inclusion needs in schools.
- Identifying, orienting and linking peer educators to health facilities and supervisors.
- Community outreach through teen clubs, Youth Corners, radio and TV programming, social media campaigns and IEC distribution.
Key Achievements
- 16 district leaders and stakeholders engaged during institutional groundwork in Kibuku and Butebo.
- 61 district and sub-county stakeholders oriented, improving coordination and validating district action plans.
- 28 schools assessed across the two districts (100% of target).
- 30 peer facilitators identified, oriented and formally handed over to facility in-charges and supervisors (100% of target).
- Stronger stakeholder coordination, community ownership and safeguarding awareness, with peer educators gaining skills in mobilisation, SRHR communication and referrals.