Stronger Mothers Through Safe Delivery
In Ruteete Sub-County, many mothers used to give birth in their homes with the help of traditional birth attendants. Some mothers had serious problems, like too much bleeding because there was no medical help nearby. Many reached the health centre when it was already too late. “Before, we lost many mothers and babies because they came late or delivered in villages.” Says Sarah a nurse at Ruteete Health Centre IV.
Then RIDE-AFRICA started a campaign to sensitize and mobilize the community. They met local leaders, families, and traditional attendants to teach about the dangers of home delivery and the importance of delivering at the health centre.
Currently, more mothers come early for antenatal care and choose to deliver at the health centre. There are fewer cases of complications, and mothers receive better follow-up after giving birth. Even traditional birth attendants now support the health workers by referring pregnant women for safe delivery.
“We thank RIDE-AFRICA,” says Nurse Sarah. “Because of their work, more mothers and babies are safe today, and our community understands the value of skilled care.
Promoting Maternal and Child Health in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Uganda.
In Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, Human Rights and Democracy Link Africa (RIDE‑AFRICA) is empowering mothers, girls and communities to safeguard the health and well‑being of children under five. Through health education sessions, refugee mothers are learning vital practices that improve child nutrition, support safe childbirth, and reduce preventable illnesses.
The sessions emphasise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, maternal nourishment, hygienic feeding practices and timely immunisation. Mothers are also guided on birth preparedness, recognising danger signs and accessing skilled maternal care, key measures in reducing maternal and infant mortality among vulnerable populations.
Poverty and limited access to health services remain major barriers to good nutrition and safe childbirth. For example, currently 26 % of Ugandan children aged 1–5 years are stunted (one in four), with rural children and boys disproportionately affected.
Meanwhile, the country’s maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, and under‑five mortality is reported at 52 deaths per 1,000 live births (WHO report 2023)
To address these intersecting challenges, RIDE‑AFRICA is piloting community health savings schemes, enabling women to pool resources for nutrition, maternal care and emergency health needs, particularly in refugee‑hosting and marginalised communities.
The organisation is also conducting awareness campaigns to prevent drug and substance abuse, which disproportionately affect young women, adolescent girls and vulnerable households. Studies show that in informal settlements and urbanized areas of Uganda, 34.9 % of adolescents aged 14–19 years reported illicit drug use, and 16.1 % were high‑risk alcohol users.
Community mobilisation is central to RIDE‑AFRICA’s approach: The organisation engages women’s savings groups, youth clubs, child monitoring committees, peer educators and local health volunteers to deliver nutrition counselling, facilitate safe‑birth education and drive substance‑abuse prevention. This grassroots engagement helps ensure that interventions reach the most vulnerable, including refugee mothers, adolescent girls, and households facing economic hardship.
“Equipping mothers and girls with knowledge and practical skills is key to breaking the cycle of malnutrition, unsafe deliveries and substance abuse,” said a RIDE‑AFRICA rights and gender officer. “Our community‑driven approach ensures that the most vulnerable receive the care, guidance and support they need paving way for healthier, safer and more empowered women and children.”
Working Together to Save Mothers in Kasenda Parish
Since 2023, RIDE-AFRICA has been piloting the Community-Led Maternal Health Support Action in four villages namely, Isunga, Kasenda, Nyabweya, and Rurama in Ruteete Sub County, Kabarole District. The initiative empowers community structures to support pregnant women to access antenatal care and deliver safely at health facilities.
At just 27, Kajumaba Mary from Nyabweya Village had already experienced two risky home births, one of which almost cost her life. She feared going to a health facility, thinking it was costly and only for emergencies.
Her outlook changed when Village Health Teams (VHTs) and Local Council 1 leaders began visiting homes to raise awareness on safe motherhood. Mary joined the Mothers Champion Group, where women share Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, birth preparedness tips, and emotional support for expectant mothers. She also joined a small savings group that helped her prepare for delivery.
A key breakthrough was the formation of the Safe Mothers Boda Boda Riders is a group of organised motorcycle riders trained to transport expectant mothers to Ruteete Health Centre IV any time of day or night. (In Uganda, “Boda Boda” refers to motorcycles widely used as an affordable mode of transport.)
Transport costs are covered by Friends of RIDE-AFRICA – Safe Mothers Project, ensuring no mother is left behind due to lack of transport.
Mary used the boda boda service to attend ANC visits and, when labour started one evening, a trained rider safely rushed her to Ruteete Health Centre IV, where she delivered a healthy baby girl under skilled care.
Mary, “I felt safe, supported, and prepared. Without this support, I would have delivered at home again”.
“Am thankful to RIDE-AFRICA, Safe Mothers Boda Boda Riders, Village Health Teams (VHTs), Nyabweya Mothers Champion Group, Management and Midwives of Ruteete Health Centre IV.”