What is U-Report?
U-Report is
UNICEF’s digital community for young people, by young people, where they can
raise their voices and share opinions on topics that matter to them. Across
more than 90 countries, we empower young people to find out about issues that
affect them, take action, and become part of the change they want to see. Using
real-time insights and solutions, U-Report shapes policies and decisions in
communities, countries and around the world, working side-by-side with young
people. Your voice matters.
How can a Young
Person Use U-Report to Create a Positive Impact on their community?
- Polls.
Your Voice matters and it will be heard through U-Report Polls. U-Report sends out period messages via SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook where they ask willing participants to share their anonymous views about various social topics. This information is analyzed, compiled, and taken to decision-makers to inform and shape their decision. The information is also used by UNICEF, the government of Uganda and other organizations to inform their policies especially those that affect young people. For example, in 2023, the Uganda National Youth Council conducted a U-Report poll on what young people in Uganda are doing to realize Sustainable development goals and those results were presented to the president of Uganda at the International Youth Skills Day.
Photo credit: Maria Wamala
- Chatbots
Young people can
also use U-Report Chatbots to access information, learn and be referred to
various services. Chatbots are interactive messaging tools accessible on the
U-Report channels like SMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook where young people can
access information about topics like Skills, Mental health, and HIV and even be
referred to where they can access such services within their communities. For
example, following the 2020 Covid19 pandemic, there were high levels of mental
health challenges faced by young people, the U-Report mental health chatbot was
consequently created to help young people navigate mental health challenges and
equip them with information about different mental health problems and how they
can deal with them. It also offers referral services to the SAUTI 116 national
helpline where one can speak to a professional counsellor.
“I and other U-reporters have carried out sanitation
campaigns in Kampala Where we carry out community cleaning and sensitization of
people about their health. I usually use information from the mental health
chatbot to teach people about mental health and how they can deal with it.” Namara Rhynet (22)
Photo credit: Fatuma Namukose
- Community engagement
From the information they access, U-Reporters can take action by organizing events to advocate for the rights of young people. For example, U-Reporters across the country have previously organized medical outreaches to support the government’s vaccination efforts, conducted 21st Century Skills training as well as trained community members to be mental health champions. U-Report advocates can also use the numbers and opinions shared by their peers in polls, to inform their efforts in advocating for what other young people have expressed to be their needs from poll results available on the U-Report website here.
“Participating in the immunization campaign in Nansana
empowered me to take control of the children's health and contribute to the
well-being of their community. Assisting the Village Health Team in the
vaccination efforts, l actively worked towards preventing the spread of
diseases and promoting public health.” Tumusiime Marvin Godwin. (23)
Photo credit: Jamada Musa Kalinda
- Platform
Active U-Report
Advocates are also given a live platform to advocate for issues that affect
their community. This platform allows U-Reporters to meet and present their
concerns to the leaders in their local community as well as the national and
international levels. U-Reporters also have an opportunity to directly
participate in the decision-making process of their decision-making bodies and
advocate for the interests and needs of young people. Read here
- Co-create
The Voices of Youth
platform is now part of U-Report. Young people can now use the platform to
amplify and advocate for what matters to them by sharing their stories and
views for the whole country and world to know. These views will be amplified by
U-Report online so that they can reach the decision-makers. You can learn more here
How to become a U-Reporter.
Join U-Report in
Uganda today by sending the word “Join” to 8500 via SMS or +25670916850 on
WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger on the username U-Report Uganda.
