The Lugogo Cricket Oval came alive with vibrant colour and energy as government officials, international partners , young people, and child rights organizations gathered to commemorate International Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The event served as a national dialogue on critical issues affecting children in Uganda, including teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and menstrual health.
The commemoration provided a platform for organizations working with and for children to showcase their efforts through exhibitions. Groups from across the country—including those from as far as Karamoja—participated in the vibrant display of commitment and innovation.
More than 400 children took part in the event, not just as participants but as leaders and voices of change. Children served as MCs, performed music, dance, drama, and poetry, and read a compelling children’s statement. Delivered by Ndagaano Erina Wisdom and Seraph Buyi, the statement highlighted persistent gaps in education, menstrual health, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy, and called for urgent prioritization of children's rights and wellbeing to build a stronger and healthier nation.
A child-led panel discussion added a powerful element to the event, with children sharing their perspectives and proposing actionable solutions to improve menstrual hygiene across schools and communities.
Hon. Peter Ogwang, who represented the First Lady and Minister of Education, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, officiated as Chief Guest. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving menstrual health and officially launched the Menstrual Health Guidelines for Schools and Educational Institutions in Uganda.
The event concluded with various organizations and schools signing a pledge to support the implementation of the new guidelines, signalling a collective commitment to creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive environments for all children.
