Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO)

Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO) was founded in 1996. It is a network organization that exists to provide coordination, representation and networking among civil society AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) for enhanced quality HIV and AIDS service delivery.

UNASO undertakes this through facilitating CSO participation in constructive dialogue, and engagement of duty bearers in national and decentralized HIV & AIDS response; fostering collaboration, networking, and strategic partnership among CSOs for a harmonized HIV &AIDS response at national and decentralized levels; and providing platforms for exchange and sharing of strategic information and experiences among CSOs engaged in HIV/AIDS response.

It also exists to provide technical assistance to CSOs in programming for HIV and AIDS. UNASO membership strength to date is over 2000 organizations and has facilitated the establishment of 50 district networks in the country.

Our Mission & Vision

Vision:

“A Ugandan Society free of HIV and AIDS and its impact.”

Mission:

“To provide leadership to ASOs for collective response to HIV and AIDS through effective representation, coordination and enhanced capacities.”

Strategic Objectives

1. Building Institutional capacity of UNASO and ASOs.
   • Strengthening – the structure, policies, procedures and systems to make the network more responsive to the aspirations of the civil society ASOs.
   • Strengthening the role of governance at the district level to provide leadership of coordinating and representing the Civil Society sector at DAT/DACs and other structures.
   • Supporting the agencies to scale up their level of competence through needs-based capacity building initiatives.
   • Promoting best practices and support services for ASOs and district networks in a spirit of shared vision for uplifting especially the weak, mushrooming community initiatives.
2. Information Communication and Knowledge Management:
   • Ensure effective communication, documentation and dissemination and organizing platforms for knowledge and experience sharing and learning for civil society actors within and outside Uganda.
   • Ensure that information regarding the priority areas of the NSP and any other change in policy/practice regarding the national response to HIV and AIDS are regularly communicated to civil society ASOs.
3. Policy Advocacy and Representation:
   • Creation and supporting of existing platforms for advocacy.
   • Forging strategic alliances locally, regionally and internationally with agencies like EANNASO to broaden the platforms for representation and advocacy.
   • Setting up systems and strategies to ensure that the network is marketed through dialogue with Government and development partners, and other diverse means of dissemination.
   • The broader intent is to raise the recognition of UNASO as a voice of civil society action against HIV and AIDS
4. Networking and Partnership Building:
   • Commitment towards membership expansion, management, retention, facilitation and motivation that will remain the cornerstones for a vibrant network.
   • Build the competencies and play a facilitation role to Civil Society by aligning them to NSP, HIV&AIDS policies and international commitment on HIV and AIDS for effective ASO programme design and implementation.
5. Granting:
   • Expanding funding sources by developing and implementing resource mobilization interventions to tap into global sources, diversifying and developing her own funding sources.
   • Developing a resource mobilization and sustainability strategy and linking this to other strategies of networking and collaboration with new partners for increased financial support.
   • Pushing for funding mechanisms such as the Civil Society Fund and Global Fund component for the non-public sectors to be coordinated by UNASO.

NGOs AIDS, Policy Advocacy, Public Information and Communication, Social Research