Every month, menstruation arrives as a natural biological process for millions of women and girls. Yet for many school-going girls in Uganda, it remains a silent barrier that threatens their education, confidence and future.

Limited access to affordable menstrual hygiene products continues to force some learners to miss classes, withdraw from school activities and endure embarrassment during their menstrual periods.

Now, the Chief Executive Officer of Union Transport Alliance (UTA), Mr. Fred Ssenoga, is spearheading a campaign to tackle what he describes as the "poverty monster" of menstruation through the introduction of Union Sanitary Pads, an initiative aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management while helping girls stay in school.

Ssenoga says the campaign is founded on the belief that no girl should lose valuable learning time simply because she cannot afford a sanitary product.

"We are targeting students because education should never stop because of menstruation. Every girl deserves to remain in school with dignity, confidence and good health," he said.

The company says the Union Sanitary Pads package is supplied to schools at Shs20,000 and is designed to support one learner for an entire academic year.

According to Ssenoga, menstrual hygiene products should be viewed not merely as personal care items but as investments in education, health and the future of Uganda's girls.

"Access to sanitary products should never depend on someone's financial status. Affordable sanitary pads should be viewed as an investment in education, women's health and Uganda's future," he said.

Addressing menstrual poverty

Menstrual hygiene remains closely linked to girls' educational outcomes across Uganda. Lack of access to sanitary products can lead to absenteeism, reduced classroom participation and diminished self-confidence.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), millions of female learners are enrolled in schools across the country, making menstrual health support an important component of improving girls' retention and completion rates.

Ssenoga notes that the challenge extends beyond schools, affecting women in workplaces and communities.

"During their menstrual periods, many women become physically weak and mentally affected because of the discomfort they experience. Some struggle to perform effectively at work while others find it difficult to carry out family responsibilities," he said.

"That is why we created Union Sanitary Pads, to restore confidence, comfort and dignity to every woman and every girl."

Partnership to support girls

The initiative has attracted support from partners who view menstrual hygiene as essential to protecting girls' wellbeing.

Ms. Margret Nasuwa, Brand Marketing Manager at Ruka Pay, says the partnership with Union Transport Alliance is intended to provide a practical response to a challenge affecting many girls.

"This partnership is about giving hope to girls and women by supporting access to quality menstrual hygiene products. No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad," she said.

Nasuwa says access to reliable menstrual products enables girls to continue learning and participating fully in school life.

"A girl needs to feel safe, comfortable and confident during her menstrual period. When she has access to a quality sanitary product, she can attend school, participate in class and continue with her normal activities without interruption," she said.

She added that affordability remains one of the initiative's greatest strengths, particularly for families struggling to meet the recurring cost of menstrual products.

"Union Sanitary Pads are designed with affordability in mind while maintaining quality. We want girls from different backgrounds to have access to a product that supports their dignity and wellbeing," she said.

A shared responsibility

Union Transport Alliance Ambassador Alice Natukunda says reducing menstrual poverty requires collective action from schools, communities, businesses and development partners.

"Together we can reduce period poverty and ensure every girl remains in school," she said.

The campaign has also appointed Ms. Diana Ampaire as the face of the Union Sanitary Pads initiative to lead awareness activities in schools and communities.

Ampaire says the campaign is committed to ensuring menstruation never interrupts a girl's education.

"No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a sanitary pad. Every girl deserves dignity, confidence and an opportunity to achieve her dreams," she said.

For Ssenoga, success will be measured not only by the number of sanitary pads distributed but by the number of girls who remain in school and continue pursuing their ambitions.

"When you support a girl to stay in school, you are investing in Uganda's future. That is the vision behind Union Sanitary Pads," he said.

As Uganda continues to address barriers affecting the education of girls, initiatives that improve access to menstrual hygiene products are increasingly being recognised as part of the broader effort to promote gender equality and keep girls in school.

For many girls, a sanitary pad is more than a hygiene product, it represents dignity, confidence and the opportunity to pursue their education without interruption.