The Uganda Students AIDS Prevention Association (TUSAPA)

Executive Board : From R-L ; Technical adviser Mr.Omara Thomson,General Secretary ,Mrs.Kwagala Milly,Ag. Executive director & National coordinator Mr.Kyeswa Johnson

Organizational Background.
The Uganda Students AIDS Prevention Association (TUSAPA) is a registered non profit; non partisan and non governmental voluntary service youth based organization operating under Reg. No. 5914/4943 of the NGO Board. TUSAPA works on prevention and mitigation HIV/AIDS impacts among the young people in and out of schools particularly within the areas of Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts, and the larger community at large. TUSAPA first begun its activities in 2003 with a group of young people in schools targeting the in school age of between 13-24 years and the out of school youth of 24-30 years to address issues that were affecting them as young people including HIV/AIDS; the used drama and open dialogues to disseminate messages aimed at behavioral change. One such message is about promoting Abstinence in schools and or Condom use to out of school youths before marriage.
Despite a high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS that we have and continue to equip the youth with, unsafe sex, rape and forced sex remain a big problem responsible for high HIV infection and transmission among adolescents; it is a risky behavior with disastrous consequences to the whole community that deserves urgent national attention and action. Kampala being the Capital city and Mukono and Wakiso big urban centers, the above situation is worsened by a multitude of sugar Daddies and Mummies who coerce young people in sexual submission and or forced marriages by their Parents/Guardians to these rich people for financial gain, food, school fees, leisure and temporary economic security. This unfortunate situation is followed by yet another one; the pornographic information bombardment to the young people at an early age which drive them to try and rediscover themselves prematurely in the sex world. TUSAPA therefore sees this as a big threat that need to be halted by restoring morals that are on the decline every other day in our society through new approaches that will help young people avert new infections by 2012; like ‘positive prevention’ which reduces co-infections, ‘Harm reductions’ which reduce drug abuse like cocaine, marijuana, etc
TUSAPA will involve the youth at educational levels through information dissemination and AIDS related activities; e.g. Radio/ T.V talk shows, AIDS awareness campaigns, voluntary counseling and testing, research, peer training and programme designing. The new face of the pandemic is undoubtedly a global concern that demands for universal leadership and action, and more importantly, the involvement of youth leadership and movement. It is hoped this will probably curb the more than 50% of the new infection transmissions that takes place amongst 15-24 year olds in Uganda; we need to network and empower ourselves to meet the new challenges in our societies in Uganda.

Management Team : From R-L ;Legal Personnel ,-Mr Kosemo Richard Douglas,Programme officer-Mr.Ssegane James,Administrator-Ms Nakirabira Norah,,National Coordinator -Mr.Kyeswa Johnson,Accountant-Mr.Basemera Baker,Assistant Advocacy Officer -Mr Ssenyange David

VISION
Well informed generations free from HIV and AIDS and capable of building capacity and supporting each other.
MISSION
To build strong knowledge base among the Youth in post primary schools and institutions to effectively fight against HIV/AIDS in schools.
Main Objective
The Main objective of TUSAPA is to fight HIV/AIDS among the youths in school s and out of school in Uganda.
Specific objectives.
- To promote Abstinence to instill moral standards among young people before marriage
- To advocate for the rights of young people living with HIV/AIDS and involved them in programmes that address their issues.
- To promote Sex Education among youth at all levels popularizing ABC approach to HIV/AIDS prevention
- Promote voluntary Counseling and Testing among youths.
- Promote reproductive Health Programs among youths in Uganda
- To address social economical issues that enhances youth’s access to job information and treatment of STIs.
MEMBERSHIP.
Membership is open to all organizations and Individuals irrespective of their gender, racial identity and or religious background, particularly those that express interest in the vision and mission of TUSAPA; all have the right to participate in the Annual General Assembly and must have subscribed at the secretariat for authenticity.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES
Individuals (Non-Students) Ugshs 50,000
Students Ug shs 5,000
Organizations (Both NGOs & CBOs) Ugshs 100,000
FUNDING
TUSAPA is a non-profit making organization dependent on members’ subscriptions, well wishers, and donations and fundraising to run all its activities. We strongly encourage working with organizations that are legally constituted and recognized by the laws of Uganda under the National NGO Board and other relevant authorities.
PARTNERSHIP
TUSAPA works and encourages partnerships both locally and internationally to promote harmony in order to achieve excellent performance. It is a member of UNASO and Partner to A.I.C; these are umbrella organizations to achieve appropriate response against HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
AREA OF COVERAGE
We initially operated in Kampala district alone but today our activities have expanded to include Wakiso,Sembabule and Mukono districts. In all our operations activities are implemented while respecting and upholding the following core values;
- Team work and self motivation
- Respect for members ideas and contributions
- Transparency and accountability
- Social Democracy and good governance
- Result oriented performance
- Non-partisan

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Annual General Assembly (AGM);
The Youths Leaders representing different secondary schools, tertiary institutions and HIV/AIDS related NGOs and CBOs constitute the AGM of TUSAPA; a supreme policy making and governing body guided by the National Executive Committee (NEC) which Does Its Day to Day Business.