JMERC Convenes Inaugural Programme Technical Committee to Advance Adolescent Well-being in Uganda

8th October,2026, Kampala,Uganda: JM Education and Research Centre is delighted to announce a partnership with the Fund for Innovation in Development(FID) in implementing the Resilience and Social Emotional Learning -RSEL programme. Through the programme, we convened the inaugural Programme Technical Committee (PTC) meeting for the Resilience and Social and Emotional Learning (RSEL) Programme, marking an important step towards strengthening the mental health, well-being and resilience of young adolescents in Uganda.

The meeting brought together technical experts and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, UNESCO, Makerere University School of Public Health, the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU), StrongMinds, the Clinical Psychology Association of Uganda, the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Mental Health, civil society and the media, among other stakeholders. The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce members to the programme's objectives, establish the committee's technical leadership and discuss its role in guiding implementation and research.

The RSEL Programme seeks to improve mental health, well-being and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes among young adolescents aged 10–14 years. Recognising that mental health, gender-based violence, adolescent health and education outcomes are interconnected, the programme adopts an integrated, school-based approach that places social and emotional learning at its foundation. It brings together adolescents, teachers, school leaders, parents, caregivers and communities to strengthen the support systems that enable young people to learn, grow and thrive.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. John Mary Vianney Mitana, Executive Director of JMERC and Principal Investigator for the RSEL Programme, highlighted the importance of addressing adolescent well-being through coordinated, evidence-informed interventions. The programme will build on existing policies, school structures and learning materials, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement rather than duplicating ongoing efforts. A dedicated module on Teacher Agency and Well-being will also be developed, recognising that teachers play a central role in supporting learners' social, emotional and psychological development.

The PTC will provide technical and scientific guidance on curriculum development, research design, measurement tools, implementation quality and the use of evidence to strengthen the programme. Its work will complement that of the National Advisory Group, which provides high-level strategic and policy guidance. Members emphasised the importance of teacher well-being, adolescent participation, safeguarding, parental engagement, inclusion and strong referral pathways for learners experiencing mental health challenges or violence.

The committee selected Hajji Saidi M. Nsamba, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator at the Ministry of Education and Sports, as Chairperson, and Ms. Vivian Olga Kudda Mukiibi, President of the Clinical Psychology Association of Uganda, as Co-chairperson. Their leadership will support coordinated technical input and collaboration among the diverse institutions represented on the committee.

The programme's 2026 formative phase will focus on stakeholder engagement, ethical approvals, curriculum and policy reviews, research planning and the development of measurement frameworks. A baseline evaluation is anticipated in 2027, ahead of pilot implementation in Luuka and Bugiri districts. The pilot is expected to generate evidence to inform future programme improvements and potential scale-up.

The RSEL Programme seeks to strengthen the evidence and systems needed to support young adolescents, while contributing to a more integrated approach to mental health, resilience and social and emotional learning in Uganda's education system.