The situation in Uganda
At Uganda’s Menstrual Health Symposium in Kampala on 8 April 2026, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards reported that nearly 1 in 5 Ugandan adolescent girls misses school during menstruation, while more than four million women and girls still rely on non-purpose-made menstrual materials, including cloth, tissue, and mattress foam.
To help address this problem, the Nile Humanitarian Agency has distributed 3,332 reusable sanitary pads across four schools in Wakiso and Mukono districts. However, further support is needed to expand the initiative and reach more girls who lack access to safe and reliable menstrual products.
