USAID SBCA Delivers Essential Materials to UMMB

In a groundbreaking move to enhance public health communication within the Muslim community, USAID’s Social Behavior Change Activity (SBCA) has delivered a vital set of health promotion materials to the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB), the health arm of theUganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC). This delivery follows a transformative two-day consultative workshop held at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Female Campus in Kabojja, Kyengera Town Council, in June 2024. The workshop, titled “Adaptation of Key Health Messages for Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and Adaptation of Quran Verses while Equipping Muslim Religious Leaders with Effective Communication Skills in the Communities,” was designed to integrate health education with religious guidance to promote positive behavior changes in communities.

The workshop aimed to empower Muslim religious leaders with effective communication skills and strategies to disseminate health messages within their communities. By aligning health messages with relevant Quranic teachings, the initiative sought to create a culturally sensitive approach to health communication, enhancing the effectiveness of these messages and fostering meaningful social and behavior change.

The health promotionmaterials, developed through the USAID SBCA initiative, were officially handed over to UMMB during a ceremony attended by key figures, including Hon Hajjat Sophia Kenyangi,  who doublesNational Women Chairperson of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) and Director of Old Kampala Hospital, and Mr. KivumbiMuzamiru, the Executive Secretary of UMMB, Mr. Wabusimba Amiri the Advocacy and Communication Specialist, Sr. NamakulaJowriathr MCHN Program Manager UMMB, MrIsaac Charles Baigereza, theTechnical Specialist Multisectoral Coordination and Mr. Ahabwe  Venansio also from the USAID SBCA. Mr. Ahabwe, the USAID SBCA team lead expressed his gratitude for the collaboration between UMMB and UMSC throughout the project. He emphasized the importance of utilizing these materials to their fullest potential.

Mr. KivumbiMuzamiru praised the USAID SBCA team for their swift implementation of the project, highlighting the significance of collaborative efforts in achieving common goals. He remarked, "UMMB is open to working with anyone as long as their vision aligns with ours. We shall move together in the wake of saving mankind." This statement underscores UMMB’s commitment to collaboration and their dedication to advancing public health through shared objectives.

Hon Hajjat Sophia SafinaKenyangi, lauded USAID SBCA for its strategic decision to involve religious leaders and medical bureaus in the program. She emphasized the potential of this approach to enhance health communication and urged other implementing agencies to adopt similar strategies. 

The delivery of these IEC materials marks a crucial step forward in improving health communication strategies. By leveraging the influence of religious leaders and aligning health messages with cultural values, the initiative aims to promote positive behavioral changes and address health issues more effectively.

The successful collaboration between USAID SBCA, UMMB, and UMSC highlights the effectiveness of integrating diverse sectors to address public health challenges. This initiative not only strengthens the capacity of Muslim religious leaders to communicate essential health information but also sets a precedent for future programs that blend cultural and health education. As the health promotion materials are distributed, there is strong optimism for their positive impact on health behavior change across communities in Uganda.