The BTSI team (Julie, Daniel and Sibo) in Kampala has been distributing printed copies of the Situational Analysis (report of research on acid violence in Uganda.)  The team has visited several offices to present the report, follow up on the initial letters requesting a meeting, and explore the possibility of meeting with any of the officials responsible for assisting our endeavor to get the draft bill to Parliament. On 26 August, the team visited the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Justice, and the Kabalagala police station. The official they met with at the police station was very interested because she works in the Child and Family Protection Office. She recommended that the team take copy of report to head of the Family Protection Unit at police headquarters in Naguru and give the Unit an update of BTSI activities since the report launch. 

The following day, the team presented the final report and updated other officials on the progress in the pursuit of regulating acid sale and having a law against acid violence in Uganda. They also explored possible future collaborations and shared initiatives in the campaign against acid violence. These groups included the Uganda Law Reform Commission, the plastic surgery unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and the Uganda Police Force headquarters/Child and Family Protection Unit. The plastic surgeon at Mulago provided another contact for the Ministry of Health.

Next steps include participating in meetings that various officials have proposed and meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, who is in charge of policy. The team will continue pursuing partnerships with stakeholders and pushing for the law in support of a policy change toward our legislative aims. As is often the case in working with government officials, an exact timeframe is not clear but we are hopeful that our proposed law will be brought to the Ugandan parliament in the next few months!

We will keep you updated!