Reach A Hand Uganda, through its “Undo The Taboo” and “GN Trybe” initiatives, brought together over 1,000 students from more than 20 schools across the country to highlight the effectiveness of edutainment in menstrual hygiene management, as well as to showcase innovative menstrual products and disposal mechanisms.
Held under the theme “Youth Innovations for Sustainable Menstrual Health and Hygiene,” the event took place at London College of St. Lawrence in Maya. It was attended by key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, teachers, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and celebrated musicians Allan Toniks and Daxx Kartel, who delivered motivational “Power Talks” on menstrual hygiene.
Expressive arts—including poetry, visual art, dance, fashion, creative writing, debate, and drama—served as tools to challenge menstrual stigma and encourage open conversations on topics often considered taboo in formal or cultural settings. These artistic showcases were held in a competitive format, encouraging creativity and innovation.
Among the highlights were demonstrations of environmentally friendly menstrual management solutions. Students presented incinerator prototypes made from biodegradable materials like cardboard, and reusable sanitary pads designed for both affordability and sustainability. A panel discussion also addressed the challenges surrounding menstrual health management in schools.
To recognize student efforts, certificates of participation were awarded, and the top three schools received trophies and cash prizes. Seeta High School, A-Level Campus, emerged as the overall winner and was awarded Shs3 million. London College of St. Lawrence came in as the first runner-up with Shs2 million, while The Academy of St. Lawrence secured second runner-up with Shs1 million.
Humphrey Nabimanya, Chief Executive Officer of Reach A Hand Uganda, emphasized the role of edutainment in breaking stigma: “Edutainment helps overcome the silence and shame around menstruation. It creates a safe space where learners feel free to share, which addresses a major barrier to effective menstrual health education in Uganda,” he said, while emphasizing Reach A Hand’s commitment to empowering young people through the Undo The Taboo and GN Trybe initiatives.
Agnes Ssebowa, Senior Technical Officer for Adolescent and School Health at the Ministry of Health, praised Reach A Hand’s innovative approach: “The Ministry is committed to making every school a safe and supportive environment for all learners. We integrate menstrual health into education because it is a matter of human rights and dignity.”
Students expressed appreciation for the platform. “Talking about menstruation used to make us feel ashamed,” said Luke, a student from London College of St. Lawrence. “But today, it felt normal.”
According to the Auditor General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year, 64% of female students miss school regularly due to a lack of menstrual materials and inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. The same report found that 46% of the 48 schools visited did not provide emergency pads or any menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support, and many lacked access to clean water, proper sanitation, or disposal facilities.
