UNFPA Country Representative Commends JMS for Strengthening Reproductive Health Supply Chains in Uganda
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative to Uganda, Ms. Kristine Blokhus, paid a courtesy visit to the Joint Medical Store (JMS) headquarters in Nsambya, Kampala on 17th June 2026, reaffirming the longstanding partnership between the two organisations in advancing reproductive, maternal, and child health across Uganda.
The visit provided an opportunity for Ms. Blokhus to formally introduce herself to the JMS leadership team, share priorities under UNFPA’s 10th Country Programme Document (CPD 10), and explore areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening last-mile delivery of reproductive health commodities.
During the visit, the UNFPA delegation toured JMS’ modern warehousing and distribution facilities, gaining insight into the systems and infrastructure that support the nationwide delivery of essential health commodities to public, private-not-for-profit, and faith-based health facilities.
Speaking during the meeting, Ms. Blokhus praised JMS for its critical role in Uganda’s health supply chain and its contribution to improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes.
“UNFPA views JMS not merely as a logistics handler, but as our primary strategic partner in achieving the Three Transformative Results in Uganda, particularly ending the unmet need for family planning and preventing avoidable maternal deaths,” she said.
She further commended JMS’ commitment to ensuring that life-saving reproductive health commodities reach communities across the country, including hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
Through the Alternative Distribution Strategy (ADS), implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health since 2018, JMS currently supports the distribution of reproductive health commodities to more than 400 health facilities nationwide, consistently maintaining high order fulfilment and on-time delivery performance.
The discussions also focused on strengthening accountability and visibility across the reproductive health supply chain. UNFPA and JMS explored opportunities to enhance commodity traceability, improve inventory management practices, and support health facilities in ensuring the appropriate use of reproductive health products.
Commenting on the growing demand for reproductive health commodities across the country, JMS Executive Director, Dr. Bildard Baguma, welcomed the continued partnership with UNFPA and highlighted the need for innovative approaches to increase access.
“We are encouraged by the growing demand for reproductive health commodities in Uganda, which reflects increasing awareness and utilisation of these essential services. As JMS, we are exploring sustainable mechanisms for expanding the distribution of reproductive health commodities within the private sector to complement public sector efforts and ensure that more Ugandans can access these life-saving products when and where they need them,” Dr. Baguma said.
He noted that stronger collaboration among development partners, government agencies, faith-based institutions, and private sector actors would be critical in addressing remaining gaps in access to reproductive health services.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of JMS and UNFPA to strengthening health systems, improving last-mile delivery, and ensuring that every woman and family in Uganda has access to quality reproductive and maternal health services.
As Uganda continues its efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes, the partnership between JMS and UNFPA remains a key driver in ensuring that essential commodities reach the communities that need them most.
