Yes, it is. One of our key achievements is the introduction of the mobile approach for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC). I believe the UPDF… - Evarlyne Buregyeya Asiimwe

The UPDF was one of the key organizations that led the fight against HIV/AIDS, with guidance from the Commander-in-Chief. As one of the pioneering institutions, combining this effort with our regular military duties—especially in hard-to-reach areas—was no small accomplishment. It's an achievement we should not underestimate. Due to our presence in these remote regions, we have a responsibility to provide services not just to our soldiers, but also to the surrounding communities. As a result, the civilian populations in these areas have greatly benefited from our outreach efforts.

Around 2012 to 2013, we began discussing with our partners the idea of creating a branded condom specifically for the military. It was essentially a form of social marketing. Although condoms were available, soldiers weren’t using them, despite knowing how to do so, and the same applied to the wider community. We wanted to understand why they weren’t using existing condoms, and we discovered that when people get accustomed to something, they often don’t value it. So, we thought, “Let’s create a condom that would appeal to them and encourage use.” We continued discussions with our partners, pushing for this idea. When PACE was securing their contract, we made it clear that we wanted this initiative included. The demand for this new product came directly from the military, an innovation led by us, but of course, we needed to bring in our partners as experts. The idea was to create a unique condom and brand it specifically for our soldiers. PACE helped bring this vision to life, and thus, the Ulinzi condom was born. The response was overwhelming, especially due to its camouflage design. People started to appreciate not only the design but also the quality. Soldiers and civilians alike began requesting them. Interestingly, when we distributed the Ulinzi condoms alongside other brands, like the pink ones, people would often refuse the pink ones in favor of Ulinzi. However, with the conclusion of the PACE contract, funding for these condoms also ended, and now they are out of stock. Despite this, whenever we visit communities, people still ask for Ulinzi condoms, saying, "We want Ulinzi." Civil-military relations are about creating synergy between the military and the civilian population. It’s about identifying areas where both sides can collaborate and work together, with either the civilian community contributing to the military, or the military supporting the civilians. The underlying principle is that we cannot exist in isolation. While the military runs its own health programs, there are specific services provided by the Ministry of Health that the military may not have the capacity to offer. One example of this collaboration is the "Tarehe Sita" initiative, where two weeks of the year are dedicated to providing community services. During this time, the military engages in activities such as offering healthcare, rehabilitating water sources, improving livelihoods, and working alongside the community. We also have our largest SACCO, Wazalendo, which focuses on training people in economic empowerment. While the military may have limited resources, we do our best to offer what we can in terms of health services. Tarehe Sita, which commemorates the birth of the UPDF, is a reminder that the army cannot function in isolation. The support of civilians was crucial in helping the military achieve its objectives, so it’s important that we give back and show appreciation for our shared existence. The Directorate of Health, along with our partners, plays a key role in this. As part of our community service efforts, we provide medical services, while the engineering brigades focus on infrastructure, sanitation, and town cleanups. The Directorate of HIV, under the medical services division, contributes by addressing health needs related to HIV, and our partners help implement these initiatives, ensuring that the UPDF fulfills its responsibility to give back to the community.

Our partners provide two key contributions. First, they bring in technical expertise that is not readily available within the military, allowing us to access specialist healthcare workers. Second, they ensure that resources are used efficiently, ensuring that funds allocated to programs are spent effectively and achieve their intended outcomes. They report both to the funders and to the military for program implementation. Partners help by hiring skilled professionals on a short-term basis, such as physicians, to carry out specific tasks. Additionally, they ensure that all activities align with the guidelines set by their funders while also delivering services to the military.