Serere, Uganda, what began as a focused intervention in Eastern Uganda has rapidly grown into a powerful movement for change, as AIDO Network International, in partnership with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, takes the fight against drug abuse directly into schools and communities. Anchored on a simple but urgent truth, that prevention through education is the key to safeguarding the next generation, the campaign is already transforming lives and shaping a national response to substance abuse.

Launched in July 2025 across Serere and Kaberamaido Districts, the initiative has recorded remarkable success and is now being prepared for rollout across the entire country. In a short time, it has reached over 30,000 people through direct, on-the-ground engagement, while radio broadcasts have amplified its message to an estimated 5 to 7 million listeners across the wider region. What is emerging is not just a campaign, but one of the most impactful grassroots anti-drug movements in Eastern Uganda.

At the heart of this success is an ambitious school outreach programme that has taken prevention education into 40 schools across Serere, Soroti, and Kaberamaido districts. Through these efforts, more than 60,000 students have been equipped with critical knowledge on drug prevention, while over 3,000 young people have gone a step further by completing structured online courses promoting drug-free living. These sessions have gone beyond lectures, creating safe and interactive spaces where students openly discuss real-life pressures, ask questions, and learn practical strategies to resist peer influence and make informed life choices.

The scale of the campaign has been equally impressive outside the classroom. Between 70,000 and 100,000 educational booklets have been distributed, ensuring that accurate and life-saving information continues to circulate within schools and communities long after the sessions end. In a bid to strengthen learning environments and access to information, the programme has also provided 10 mobile phone sets and 10 smart TVs to support ongoing education and awareness. More than 20 sensitization engagements, delivered both in person and through radio platforms, have further deepened community understanding, while key institutions, including the police and the army, have been actively involved, reinforcing the message that drug prevention is a shared responsibility.

AIDO’s approach stands out for going beyond traditional awareness campaigns. By integrating structured training and digital learning, the initiative ensures that knowledge is not only delivered but retained and applied. Thousands of young people are now better equipped with the tools, confidence, and awareness needed to make positive life choices, demonstrating that lasting change is possible when education is paired with empowerment.

This success has been driven by strong leadership and international collaboration. Special recognition is due to AIDO Chairperson Princess Ulrike Pohlman Achom and her husband, Chief Udo Pohlman Osuban, whose unwavering support and commitment have been instrumental in advancing global drug-free education initiatives. In Uganda, the programme is led by Lady Evelyn Imede Oluga, Country Director for Drug-Free World Uganda, supported by a dedicated team including Jesca Aswao, Pauline Asako, Odhiambo Geofrey, John Okonera, Jessica Atai, Emmanuel Akeba, Mayor of Serere Town Council, Chairman Patrick Akopi, and many others whose grassroots mobilisation has ensured deep and meaningful community impact.

Public response to the campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly through radio engagement, where listeners have voiced strong support and called for expanded efforts to address the growing threat of substance abuse among young people. The message resonating across communities is clear: drug abuse is not just an individual struggle, but a societal challenge that demands collective action.

Building on its major success in Serere District, AIDO Network International is now preparing to scale the programme nationwide, bringing hope that more communities, schools, and institutions will be empowered with the knowledge and tools needed to combat drug abuse.

As Uganda confronts increasing risks linked to substance abuse, this initiative stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved through education, partnership, and committed leadership. The message from AIDO Network International is both powerful and urgent: a drug-free future begins with informed minds—and the time to act is now