My name is Peter. I was born in Karamoja, I am aged 18 years, living with physical disability and I do not menstruate.

I have a story about my friend “Buju, the nickname she was given in class” whom we used to share a bench with in class. She was older than most of us in class. She started her menstrual period when we were in primary five and the fact that most of the members of the class did not know about what happens in that stage of growth, she continued sitting not until blood was too much on her uniform.

She stood up ably and went to ask the teacher in the staffroom what had happened to her. All of us in class wondered what was the case with our fellow classmate. The whole school got to know about her, and what is more sad is that she never came back to school. A few months later,  we heard that she was married to a man who had three wives.

My recommendation is to call upon teachers, schools, the community, youth organisations, the government of Uganda, and the parents to join efforts and help our sisters to cope up with the menstruation from their earlier stage of growth. I believe that starting with menstrual health literacy in the family, will ensure that menstruation is managed well and avoid the negativity that comes along with the menstrual experience. 

Thank you! Yours kabejja "slogan meaning the most powerful" Peter.