Most At Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS in Uganda)

LGBTIQQ, Culture, Diversity and COVID-19 on World Day of Cultural Diversity For Dialogue and Development Culture is a tool which many different persons can employ to improve their health or quality of life. There is a connection between culture, diversity and how we all can engage in health promotion whether one identifies as Straight or Gay. Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behaviour and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Whether you identify as LGBTIQQ or Straight culture is an enabler and a catalyst you need to tap into to engage in health promotion, quality life and prevention against COVID-19. She shouted on top of her voice: “These ones are allowed to make hair and those ones are not supposed to plait hair. These ones are supposed to wear make-up and those ones are not supposed to. These ones are supposed to kneel down when talked...

I want to bring to your attention, a letter that was addressed to the Uganda Parliament on the 7thAugust 2019. In it the author makes a profound realization about relationships, sexuality, orientation, gender, identity, sexual expressions and sexual characteristics. “Attachment is a lasting emotional bond between persons and it influences relationships throughout life (Grossman et al., 2005). We have seen that not all people are heterosexually normative. Some are neurodivergent gender diverse persons. Some engage in the love where one leaves the beauty of a woman and settles for a fellow man or where one leaves the man and settles with a woman is possible and may not be about sexual intercourse. It may be because of affinity over a similar experience people went through. It could be as a result of backlash. It could be as a result of realizing similar likes and dislikes. Please do not assume that all same-sex relations are about sexual intercourse.” It started a...

COVID-19, Public Health, Wellness and Quality Life Series   COVID-19 and Daily Activities of Life RESTRICTIONS: Now that we are living under restrictions which in turn curtail our mobility, we need to do a self-assessment. Your position and station in life matters and sets the stage for the health promoting (or retrograding) practices/behaviours. These in turn either expose or protect one against COVID-19. HOUSEHOLD: A home is the basic structure from which many are provided subsistence. Other places are prisons, army barracks, ships and camps. In other words all these places bring humans in contact with each other. Unavoidable contact! The best thing is to maintain a higher standard of hygiene habits. Wash your hands as soon as you wake up with soap, wash your body and clean up your bedding. This is the simplest yet most important start of the day activity. COUGH: If you blow your nose or cough cover the mouth and nose. Adopt the habit of moving around with pocke...

1. Generate and raise awareness on hand -washing, social distancing and staying-at-home as part of COVID-19 Prevention. Ensure housing, nutrition, access to social services and productivity 2. Generate and raise awareness on hand -washing, social distancing and staying-at-home as part of COVID-19 Prevention Use the days to engage in Health and Wellness Promotion integrating COVID-19 Response: a. Thematic Monday: Occupying oneself at home while self-isolating; games, house chores, reading, writing, studying online or any other activity that will not put one in danger of acquiring germs which make one vulnerable to COVID-19; avoid exposure to threats or contravening COVID-19 country restrictions such as curfew, social distancing rules and conflict with standard laws. b. Thematic Tuesday: Chatting up friends, checking on them and promoting companionship using WhatsApp or video conferencing. Ensure that one engages in activities that promote companionship while making sur...