In a country where deeply personal health questions are often whispered to friends or searched in private browser tabs, a new national campaign is urging Ugandans to do something simple but powerful, ask.
Marie Stopes Uganda has officially launched the BUUZA Campaign, an initiative designed to encourage early, open conversations around fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, contraception and postnatal care. “Buuza,” which means ask, is built on the belief that timely care begins with a question.
The launch comes at a critical time. Although more than 72% of women in Uganda attend antenatal care at least four times, only about 30% begin care in the first trimester the period when early screening and prevention are most effective. Uganda’s pregnancy-related mortality ratio is still estimated at 228 per 100,000 live births.
Health experts say silence and delayed consultation remain major barriers.
“Rather than focusing only on providing information, BUUZA puts people at the centre,” said Dr. Molly Mbaziira, a Gynaecologist at Marie Stopes Uganda. “It responds to real questions about fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and life after delivery, and creates a supportive space where those questions can be asked without fear or judgment.”
In many communities, conversations about reproductive health are shaped by cultural expectations of endurance and discretion, particularly for women. As a result, concerns are often shared informally instead of with trained professionals sometimes delaying critical intervention.
The BUUZA campaign seeks to close that gap by using accessible and confidential platforms. According to Sandra Arinaitwe, the organization’s Marketing and Communications Lead, WhatsApp will serve as the primary entry point for the public to connect with clinicians. A toll-free mobile line has also been provided for those without internet access.
“The BUUZA campaign meets people where they already are,” Arinaitwe said. “Within minutes, clients can connect with trained clinicians who listen, reassure and guide them to the most appropriate point of care near them.”
Joyeuse Uwitonze, Hospital Manager at Marie Stopes Hospital, emphasized that the first interaction is often decisive.
“At Marie Stopes Hospital, we understand that the first interaction often shapes a client’s entire care journey. Women can trust that every step of their care is in expert hands,” she said.
According to Marie Stopes, the campaign is not merely about raising awareness only but also about shifting behavior normalizing early engagement with health professionals and reducing fear or stigma around reproductive health conversations.
Marie Stopes Uganda, registered as MSI Reproductive Choices Uganda Limited, is the country’s leading provider of reproductive health services for women and men. The organization operates a maternity hospital, 12 clinics nationwide, and reaches communities in every district through outreach programs, public sector partnerships, private sector engagement, and social marketing initiatives
Its services span family planning, maternal health care, and reproductive health products, positioning it as a key player in Uganda’s efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
