1. HIV/AIDS COORDINATION AND FAITH BASED ORGANISATIONS: EXPERIENCES FROM UGANDA JOHN RWOMUSHANA, MD, MSc Director, Research and Policy Development UGANDA AIDS COMMISSION ACET INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Entebbe –Uganda JAN 2005

2. CONTEXT AND RATIONALE Definition: Pooling efforts for a common goal Purpose: Timely, efficient and equitable delivery of quality services Imperative: Multi-sectoral approach, multiplicity Structure and Location: UAC in the Presidency Objective: To rally all sectors

3. DEVOLVING COORDINATION TASKS Evolution of coordination: Devolution of tasks through Partnership alignment into Self-Coordinating Entities (SCEs) Decentralization of Administration, programmes and support

4. UAC Mandate and role  Established by Statute of Parliament in 1992 to oversee, plan and coordinate the response to HIV/AIDS in Uganda;  Mandated to establish structures necessary to assist in the coordination function at various levels

5. Coordination functions Defining and supporting development of policies Promoting leadership initiatives and advocacy Leading strategic planning, M&E Developing, Partnerships Managing strategic information and knowledge Supporting and promoting research Mobilising resources and overseeing utilisation

6. Uganda AIDS Partnership Multi-sectoral coordination system Supporting the coordination task of UAC Rallies partners in all constituencies around common action Support of strengthened coordination

7. UGANDA AIDS COMMISSION AIDS PARTNERSHIP FORUM The Uganda AIDS Partnership Youth Uganda HIV/AIDS Partnership Uganda AIDS Commission & Secretariat THE HIV/AIDS PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE Media

8. Uganda AIDS Partnership Multi-sectoral coordination system supporting the coordination task of the Uganda AIDS Commission Rallies partners of all constituencies around common action. A Strategy in support of strengthened coordination

9. AIDS Partnership structures at national level  Self-Coordinating Entities: SCEs Actors of same constituency e.g. young people Ensure input into Partnership Committee Share experiences/set up peer support mechanisms Facilitate joint AIDS actions and collaboration with other SCEs  AIDS Partnership Committee Representatives of 12 SCEs meet monthly, chaired by UAC Sets agenda for the update, implementation and monitoring of the NSF  AIDS Partnership Forum All implementing and funding partners meet annually Review progress and set priorities for next year AIDS Partnership Fund: to cover coordination costs of Partnership

10. Strengths of the Partnership  Representatives selected, therefore accountable to their constituency  Stakeholders exchange ideas in democratic forum at same level as donors  Promotes transparency, consensus building, accountability, etc  Stakeholders take on responsibility to improve coordination  Beyond classic government/donor ‘partnerships”

11. Decentralized Coordination  District coordination policy guideline developed in 2002  Provides for 2 arms ( Policy / Political and Technical)  Executive/ Political : thrust on Advocacy for attention to HIV/AIDS issues, policy guidance, community mobilization, strategic direction, partnership development & social mobilization  Technical : Planning, monitoring activities and resources, information sharing

12. SUCCESS FACTORS Dialogue, open debate Timely, accurate info. Political involvement Multisectorality Flexible policies

13. OPPORTUNITIES FBOs well placed for prevention, care, impact mitigation Global and national political goodwill Alignment around “3 Ones” principles

14. CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES Pragmatism and tolerance Further scale up Constituency “self” coordination Administrative decentralization Resources: Effective utilization

15. Conclusion & Recommendations No one partner alone can scale up effectively No effective coordination without participatory, representative and accountable system Tools for improved coordination under exist Shared responsibility to promote and practice Openness, respect and honest will for participation is key for Partnership Continued guidance and support be ensured