Ruth is a youth mentor, an HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health advocate for young people living with HIV. She has been a Community Monitor for the Community Led Monitoring project for ICWEA since 2020 and is a National Young People and Adolescent Peer Supporters Trainer. Ruth was crowned Miss Y Plus 2nd Runner-Up 2019/20 and also won the Y Plus Media Advocate award in 2020. Ruth is as an Economist by profession and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Trade Policy from Ndejje University.
In Their Own Words
“Girl Power Project aimed at reducing new HIV infections and unintended pregnancy among AGYW through fast tracking the introduction and rollout of the Dual Prevention Pill (DPP) in Uganda. Its main objectives were advocacy for increased access to integrated PrEP/FP services, pharmacy distribution of PrEP and government preparedness and approval for the DPP.
“Outstanding achievements include collaboration with MOH and CSOs to advocate for reformed policies and funding for private pharmacy distribution of PrEP (to be launched in October 2023); awareness creation on the DPP Bioequivalence research; targeted media advocacy on PrEP/FP integration; bringing together PrEP and Family Planning stakeholders to advocate for integration of HIV and FP services through a National Dialogue and ongoing engagement; relationship building with the National Drug Authority to create an enabling environment for introduction of the DPP; national and global advocacy through my selection to be a member of the Young Women’s HIV Prevention Council and the DPP Civil Society Advisory Group; and incorporation of key advocacy asks in Uganda’s HIV Prevention Roadmap (a document which provides the basis for a country-led movement to scale up HIV prevention programs).”
Read about some of Ruth’s latest work in our CASPR Results Bulletin (October 2023).
Media Advocacy
- Put Family Planning, PrEP for HIV Prevention Under One Roof — New Vision
- Meet Ruth Akulu, Uganda’s AVAC Fellow and Y+ Ambassador — New Vision
Materials
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the Fellows Program, or would like to reach out to a Fellow (current or alumni), e-mail us at fellows@avac.org.