MLI
visited Uganda in December 2001 as the behest of Sister (Dr.) Miriam
Duggan, obstetrician gynecologist, who pioneered the “Youth Alive”
program as a means of preventing AIDS in young people. Because of the
success of abstinence and behavioral change in Ugandan youth, the rate
of new HIV infections in this country has fallen considerably.
Sister
Duggan allied MLI with the Uganda Catholic Charismatic Renewal (UCCR),
which had many leaders in the Youth Alive movement and was actively
promoting married and family life in the country.
MLI presented two Circles of Life training workshops to members
of UCCR as well as to interested couples. The program was
enthusiastically received and now has Gonzaga Lubega and his wife,
Paskazia, as Ugandan coordinators.
With monthly support from MLI, Gonzaga and Paksazia are
currently training couples throughout the country in the Circles of
Life model. Moreover, a Maternal Life Uganda board recently was
incorporated and recognized by the Catholic Secretariat of Uganda.
In
the months ahead, Maternal Life Uganda will continue to expand its
work in country and also outreach to Kenya and Tanzania.