Key Guiding Principles and Values

• Partnership and networking
• Rights based approach
• Transparency and accountability
• Gender sensitivity
• Community empowerment
• Responsiveness to urban health needs

History and origins of AMICAALL in Africa

The Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders’ Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) is an association of African Mayors and other Urban Leaders formed to support sustainable solutions to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in African Cities and Municipalities. A coordination secretariat was set up in Windhoek, Namibia to support establishment of autonomous AMICAALL Chapters in all African Countries and coordinate mutual support, Information sharing, networking and advocacy.

AMICAALL Uganda Chapter

Subscribing to AMICAALL Africa, AMICAALL Uganda Chapter was launched on 28^th November 2000 at the Mayors’ Parlour when Ugandan Mayors, under the leadership of Kampala Capital City signed the Kampala Declaration. The chapter has since registered and operated as a National Non-Government Organization bringing together Mayors and other urban leaders from the City, Municipalities and Town Councils across the country.

AMICAALL Uganda Programme

Since its establishment in the first Strategic Plan 2003 until its current Strategic Plan Strategic Plan 2016/17-2020/21, the AMICAALL Uganda Programme remains on two key strategic areas of focus;

1. Leveraging on the mandate and strengthening the capacity of the Mayors, other elected urban Local Government Leaders as well as technical leaders to strengthen;
   • Coordination of the decentralized urban HIV&AIDS response
   • Oversight and stewardship and accountability
   • Planning and resource mobilization
   • Advocacy and lobby
   • Community mobilization and demand creation
2. Ensuring effective and efficient delivery of HIV&AIDS Services

AMICAALL Uganda Programme acknowledges the unique challenges facing populations in the urban and peri-urban areas due to unique livelihood situations and works through the existing Local Government systems and structures to support design and delivery of tailored HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support interventions.

Reviewed Strategic Scope and Programme Mandate

During the review of AMICAALL Uganda Strategic Plan in 2015, it was realized that the global development agenda is changing with the shift from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accordingly, the National Development Plan II is aligned to this global shift with the AIDS response moving from isolation (MDG 6) to working towards integrated Health and elimination of all epidemics by 2030 (in SDG 3). The Vision 2040 recognizes the impending development challenges emanating from the rapidly growing urbanization and demographics.

Leveraging on its 16 years experience, achievements and structures, AMICAALL Uganda’s Strategic focus has been reviewed. The organization will continue to strengthen urban leadership and governance for effective delivery of services to urban populations. However, the scope of its programme has been expanded to address other urban health challenges relating to HIV&AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH/R), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Priority Programme Areas

• Institutional Capacity Development
• HIV&AIDS , Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Water and Sanitation, Non-Communicable Diseases
• Leadership, policy, advocacy and social mobilization

 Strategic Objectives

• To enhance leadership capacity for effective community engagement, advocacy and social mobilization for disease prevention and health services promotion
• To strengthen technical capacity for enhanced and sustainable health and HIV&AIDS response in urban authorities
• To increase availability and access to quality prevention, treatment and care services for HIV & AIDS Sexual, reproductive health and other related diseases among urban communities.

 AMICAALL Uganda Structures

The governance and management structures of AMICAALL Uganda span from the national level to the community levels. The Mayors and Town Clerks are actively engaged in developing policies, guidelines and programme plans. They are also involved in the implementation, coordination and oversight of the programmes.  The following structures make up the organization;

1. A Mayor and Town Clerk in each of the member urban authority sets up a multi-stakeholder coordination committee in their respective authority and appoints an officer of the authority as AMICAALL Local Coordinator (e.g. Urban Council HIV Focal Person) to coordinate programme activities and service interventions delivered through the existing health systems and structures.
2. National Coordination Office and Secretariat (Headed by a Country Director)
3. AMICAALL National Technical and Advisory Committee – ANTAC (Composed of Officials from relevant line Ministries of Health, Local Government, Gender labour and Social Development, Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Uganda AIDS Commission. Also represented are CEOs of the sister Local Governments Associations (ULGA and UAAU), CEOs of Partner Civil Society umbrella organizations like UWASNET, UNASO, NAFOPHANU and a representative of key Development Partners)
4. Alliance Executive Council-AEC (Board) led by His Worship Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku, Mayor Kasese Municipality- Comprised of Mayors with a representation of the Town Clerks Association as well as the Chairman of the Urban Authorities Association of Uganda
5. Annual Urban Leaders’ Forum and General Assembly (The Supreme organ composes of Mayors, Town Clerks and other stakeholders)
6. AMICAALL Uganda Patron (Currently the Patron is Mr. Patrick Bitature)
7. Community Structures and Resource Persons (E.g. Peer Educators, Village Health Teams, Drama groups etc)