Kampala: Every month, menstruation arrives as a natural biological process for millions of women and girls, but for some school-going girls in Uganda, it has remained a silent barrier threatening their education, confidence and dreams.
The inability to access affordable and reliable menstrual hygiene products has forced some learners to miss classes, withdraw from school activities and struggle with embarrassment during their menstrual periods.
Now, Union Transport Alliance (UTA) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Fred Ssenoga is leading a campaign aimed at confronting what he describes as the “poverty monster” of menstruation through the introduction of Union Sanitary Pads — an initiative designed to keep girls in school, restore dignity and improve menstrual health.
Ssenoga says the campaign is built on the belief that no girl should lose valuable learning time because she cannot afford a sanitary product.
“We are targeting students because education should never stop because of menstruation. Every girl deserves to remain in school with dignity, confidence and good health,” Ssenoga said.
The Union Sanitary Pads package is being supplied to schools at Shs20,000, with the company saying the package is designed to support one learner for an entire academic year.
Ssenoga says menstrual hygiene products should be viewed as an investment in education, health and the future of Uganda’s girl child.
“Access to sanitary products should never depend on someone’s financial status. Affordable sanitary pads should be viewed as an investment in education, women’s health and Uganda’s future,” he said.
Fighting menstrual poverty
Across Uganda, menstrual hygiene remains closely linked to girls’ education outcomes. When learners lack access to sanitary products, some miss school, lose confidence and struggle to participate fully in classroom activities.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Uganda has millions of female learners enrolled in schools, making menstrual health support an important factor in improving girls’ retention and completion of education.
Ssenoga says the challenge affects not only learners but also women in workplaces and communities.
“During their menstrual periods, many women become physically weak and mentally affected because of the discomfort they experience. Some struggle to perform effectively at work while others find it difficult to carry out family responsibilities,” he said.
“That is why we created Union Sanitary Pads — to restore confidence, comfort and dignity to every woman and every girl child.”
Margret Nasuwa: Quality and dignity for girls
The campaign has attracted support from partners who believe menstrual hygiene is a key part of protecting girls’ wellbeing.
Ms. Margret Nasuwa, Brand Marketing Manager at Ruka Pay, says their partnership with Union Transport Alliance is aimed at supporting a practical solution to a challenge affecting many girls.
Nasuwa says Union Sanitary Pads offer girls an affordable, comfortable and reliable option that allows them to continue with school and daily activities without fear.
“This partnership is about giving hope to girls and women by supporting access to quality menstrual hygiene products. No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad,” Nasuwa said.
She explains that menstrual products should provide confidence and comfort, especially for learners who need to remain active in classrooms.
“A girl needs to feel safe, comfortable and confident during her menstrual period. When she has access to a quality sanitary product, she can attend school, participate in class and continue with her normal activities without interruption,” she said.
Nasuwa adds that affordability is a major advantage of the initiative because many families struggle to provide menstrual products for their daughters.
“The importance of Union Sanitary Pads is that they are designed with affordability in mind while maintaining quality. We want girls from different backgrounds to have access to a product that supports their dignity and wellbeing,” she said.
Protecting the girl child’s future
Union Transport Alliance Ambassador Alice Natukunda says reducing menstrual poverty requires partnerships between schools, communities, companies and organisations.
“Together we can reduce period poverty and ensure every girl remains in school,” Natukunda said.
The campaign has appointed Ms. Diana Ampaire as the face of the Union Sanitary Pads initiative to lead awareness activities targeting schools and communities.
Ampaire says the campaign is focused on ensuring menstruation does not interrupt education.
“No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad. Every girl deserves dignity, confidence and an opportunity to achieve her dreams,” she said.
For Ssenoga, the measure of success will not only be the number of sanitary pads distributed but the number of girls who remain in school and continue pursuing their ambitions.
“When you support a girl to stay in school, you are investing in Uganda’s future. That is the vision behind Union Sanitary Pads,” he said.
As Uganda continues addressing challenges affecting the girl child, Union Sanitary Pads represents a reminder that small interventions can create lasting change.
Because for a girl with dreams of becoming a leader, professional or change-maker, a sanitary pad is not just a hygiene product.
It is dignity.
It is confidence.
And it is an opportunity to keep her future alive.
