Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health and socio-economic challenge in Uganda. At Uganda Stop TB Partnership (USTP), our advocacy efforts are central to ensuring TB remains a national priority, driving the political will, resource allocation, and decisive action needed to combat this epidemic effectively.
Sensitizing Decision-Makers
Through the Advocacy Working Group, USTP engages with decision-makers across various levels—government, civil society, private sector, and community leaders—to highlight:
- The burden of TB and TB/HIV in Uganda.
- The impact of TB on the country’s development, particularly among vulnerable populations.
- The urgent need for sustainable investments in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
By raising awareness about the human and economic toll of TB, USTP ensures that key stakeholders understand the critical role they play in combating the epidemic.
Advocating for Political Commitment
To address the challenges of TB control, USTP actively advocates for:
- Increased Resource Allocation: Encouraging the government and partners to dedicate more financial and material resources to TB programs.
- Policy Reforms: Promoting decisions that support equitable and accessible TB care, particularly for at-risk populations, including people living with HIV, prisoners, miners, and urban poor communities.
- Accountability Mechanisms: Ensuring that funds allocated for TB control are effectively utilized for their intended purpose.
Engaging for Strategic Decisions
USTP works closely with policymakers to influence strategies that tackle the TB and TB/HIV epidemic. These engagements have paved the way for:
- Strengthening TB/HIV collaborative activities.
- Enhancing public-private partnerships for TB service delivery.
- Integrating TB care with broader health and development initiatives.
Targeting At-Risk Populations
Advocacy efforts emphasize reaching the most vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by TB. This focus ensures that no one is left behind, and everyone has access to the care and support they need to prevent, detect, and treat TB.
Keeping TB on the Agenda: A Role for All
Combating TB is a shared responsibility. USTP believes that everyone—policymakers, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and communities—has a role to play. Through collective action, we can maintain TB as a priority on Uganda’s development agenda and create lasting change.
Together, we can stop TB and ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for all.
