Somewhere in Uganda today, there is a girl whose next few days have already been decided not by her ability, ambition or desire to be in school, but by something as ordinary and essential as a sanitary pad.
Through the Kili Clear Campaign, RukaPay, Union Transport Alliance (UTA) and The Mental Health Awareness Initiative (TMHAI), with support from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports, are working to change that reality for one million girls across Uganda.
The partnership brings together two powerful forms of infrastructure: Union Transport Alliance’s nationwide grassroots network spanning Uganda’s boda boda, taxi, bus and truck sectors, and RukaPay’s inclusive digital payment rails, enabling anyone with either a smartphone or feature phone to contribute securely and instantly receive confirmation of their donation.
More than a payments partnership, Kili Clear demonstrates what becomes possible when national reach, technology and accountability are aligned around a shared purpose.
Technology That Removes Barriers
As the campaign’s official digital payments partner, RukaPay is making it possible for every Ugandan to support the initiative simply by scanning the campaign QR code or dialing 2899#.
Speaking at the launch, RukaPay’s founding CEO, Rowena Turinawe reminded guests that the campaign is about far more than collecting donations.
“Today is bigger than technology. It is bigger than payments. It is even bigger than distributing pads. It is about dignity. It is about opportunity. It is about equal access.”
She noted that while RukaPay exists to simplify payments and expand financial access, the company’s purpose extends beyond financial transactions.
“Every day, we work to make it easier to pay, easier to receive money, easier to trade and easier to participate in the economy. Today, that same technology is doing something even more meaningful. It is making generosity simple. It is connecting one act of kindness to one girl’s dignity, confidence and future.”
The Kili Clear Campaign reflects how inclusive financial technology can be applied beyond commerce to solve real societal challenges. By enabling donations through both QR and USSD, the campaign ensures that participation is not limited by geography, connectivity or the type of phone someone owns.
A contribution of UGX 20,000 provides one girl with sanitary pads for an entire year, making every donation a direct investment in education, dignity and opportunity.
A Movement with National Reach
Representing Union Transport Alliance, the Business Product Advisor Fred Ssenoga described Kili Clear as a national movement built on collective responsibility.
He explained that Union Transport Alliance was established to fight poverty and identified period poverty as one of the pressing issues affecting Ugandan communities. With the production and distribution of quality sanitary pads already organized, the next challenge is mobilizing the country to ensure they reach the girls who need them most.
Union Transport Alliance’s extensive grassroots presence across Uganda’s transport sector gives the campaign the scale required to mobilize communities in every district while supporting distribution to schools and communities across the country.
“We cannot wait for foreigners to solve our problems,” he said, calling upon Ugandans to take ownership of the challenge and work together to keep girls in school.
He also recognized RukaPay’s role in powering the campaign’s digital donation platform, making it easy for individuals, organizations and institutions to participate wherever they are.
A Shared National Commitment
The launch brought together leaders from government, Parliament, the private sector and civil society, reinforcing that period poverty is not solely a women’s issue but a national development challenge.
National Female Youth Member of Parliament and Campaign ambassador Diana Ampaire Kampe reflected on her travels across Uganda, where she witnessed firsthand the realities faced by school-going girls. She welcomed the collaboration between women leaders, development partners and the private sector, while thanking RukaPay for making it easy for every Ugandan to contribute through digital channels.
Guest of Honour Hon. Andrew Oulanyah, Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on ICT and National Guidance, described period poverty as everyone’s responsibility and emphasized the importance of transparency in building public confidence.
He encouraged Ugandans to contribute beyond the suggested UGX 20,000 where they are able, noting that every contribution helps keep more girls in school and strengthens the campaign’s national impact.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health Dr. Richard Mugahi reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving menstrual hygiene management. He welcomed the collaboration between government, the private sector and community organizations, noting that such partnerships are essential to improving girls’ school retention and ensuring every learner has the opportunity to complete her education.
More Than Payments
For RukaPay, the Kili Clear Campaign reflects a simple belief: technology delivers its greatest value when it removes barriers and creates opportunities for people.
By powering secure, inclusive and transparent giving, RukaPay is helping transform individual acts of generosity into collective national impact.
Every QR code scanned.
Every *289*9# donation made.
Every contribution received.
Each one represents one more girl staying in school, learning with dignity and moving closer to the future she deserves.
Join the Movement
A contribution of UGX 20,000 can provide one girl with sanitary pads for an entire year.
Simply scan the Kili Clear campaign QR code or dial *289*9#using any smartphone or feature phone.
Together, we can remove one more barrier between a girl and her education.