The Global Fund Round 10 Grants for Uganda were launched in Kampala on 4th February 2012 with TASO as a Second Principal Recipient (PR), for the Non Public Sector. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is the PR for the Public Sector, with Ministry of Health as the implementing agency. The Grants are worth $ 285 for 3 disease components, AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis for a period of 5 years.
TASO was selected by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund as the Second PR through a rigorous and transparent process in 2010. This honour to TASO came back- to- back with TASOs selection to coordinate the implementation of Global Fund Round Seven, Phase 1 of HIV/AIDS component of the grants to the Civil Society Sub Recipients in Uganda in March 2010.
The launch of the Grants at Kampala Serena Hotel, attended by a cross section of stakeholders in health and related development concerns in Uganda, was overseen by the Global Fund Regional Team Leader for East Africa and Indian Ocean, Linden Morison. In his remarks, Linden urged Ugandans to embrace behavioral change and take personal responsibly in combating HIV and AIDS and the other diseases. He acknowledged the partnership of all stakeholders that will make the Global Fund much stronger and more focused in its service to the world.
Speaking at the Launch, the TASO Executive Director, Mr. Robert Ochai, pledged value for money to all the beneficiaries of the grants. He said TASO will draw from its wealth of experience of 25 years of HIV prevention, care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS and its revered value system to deliver on this huge assignment. “TASO is passionate about excellence, transparency, integrity and value for money and therefore failing is not an option for TASO”, Mr. Ochai said.
Mr. Ochai shared that TASO is happy of its significant contribution to the HIV responses in the country, region and the rest of the world. TASO has over the years invented a number of best practices and concepts but has chosen not to patent any of them and left them for use in the public domain in the HIV/AIDS responses. An example is the concept and practice of “Living Positively with HIV”. He added that TASO recognizes that partnerships are key in the HIV/AIDS responses; when we work together, we achieve more and will celebrate together when we defeat HIV.
He called upon the government of Uganda to take action so that more Ugandans access ART, not only as treatment but also as a HIV prevention strategy and all citizens to take personal responsibility to prevent HIV and other diseases and stop the blame game.
TASO’s promise of value for money was echoed by the Chairperson of Uganda AIDS Commission and the CCM, Prof. Vinand Nantulya, who said “every dollar will count”. He noted that key reforms have been made to the grant management architecture and these reforms will deliver the results to Uganda.
As the Second PR for the Non Public Sector, TASO will, through its Grants Coordination Unit (GCU),be responsible for the grants for Malaria and Heath Systems Strengthening (HSS) to the tune of $20,614,350 and $9,681,757 respectively. These grants will be channeled through 9 Sub Recipients (SRs) selected by the CCM and these are; Church of Uganda, Crane Health Services, International Medical Foundation, KADO, PILGRIM, Program for Accessible health, Communication and Education (PACE), The Association of Volunteers in International Service, Uganda(AVSI),Uganda Health Marketing Group Ltd(UHMG) and Uganda Wildlife Authority/International Health Network.
