In Uganda, amidst its mountains and rivers, Daniel Watenga has dedicated his life to health advocacy. His journey began in childhood, shaped by loss and the tragic deaths of young friends from preventable health issues. This heartbreak ignited his mission to create a healthier future for generations to come.
As a child, Daniel was no stranger to loss. But it wasn’t until the untimely death of two young women from complications due to unsafe abortion—that he began to understand the deeper issues surrounding health, access, and inequality in Uganda.
“I lost two young friends due to complications of unsafe abortion, one during primary school and another who became a neighbor in 2010 after the Bududa landslides,” Daniel recounts, his voice tinged with the sorrow of remembering those moments.
“Veronica, the girl who became my neighbor, was just 17 years old. Her father, desperate after losing everything in the landslides, married her off to a stranger to buy new land. She died six months later from complications due to unsafe abortion. I could never forget her dream of becoming a nurse—gone in an instant.”
This personal tragedy left an indelible mark on Daniel, shaping his future path. But it was not only the loss of his friends that drove him—it was the recognition of a larger issue: the lack of accessible health care, particularly in rural Uganda, where young people were often left vulnerable due to systemic barriers.
“During my clinical practice with a child support organization in Kakumiro, a rural community in Uganda, from 2020 to 2021, I observed that many people died from preventable illnesses, largely due to their inability to access quality healthcare for various reasons,” said Daniel.
The Birth of PHIC: A Response to Injustice
In 2020, Daniel boldly founded Partners for Healthy Individuals and Communities (PHIC), a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling health disparities, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health, disease prevention, and the well-being of marginalized communities. The goal is to provide the kind of health care that is inclusive, accessible, and attuned to the needs of the people, inspiring a healthier future for all.
“The dream of starting PHIC was inspired by my personal experiences,” Daniel shares. “The weak health system in Uganda, fueled by environmental and socio-economic disparities, posed a significant barrier to accessing basic health services. PHIC came in to respond to the increasing demand for inclusive, community-driven solutions in health care.”
Based in Wakiso District, Uganda, PHIC is a beacon of hope focused on capacity building, sexual and reproductive health education, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and medical care. The organization also integrates climate action into healthcare, addressing the link between climate change and health to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Navigating Obstacles: A Journey of Adaptation
Starting a non-profit in Uganda, a country with limited resources and numerous systemic challenges, was never going to be easy. Daniel faced many obstacles, from limited funding to societal and cultural resistance to discussions about sexual and reproductive health. However, these challenges only strengthened his resolve to push forward.
“One big barrier has been sustainable funding for community-led health interventions,” he explains. “Many funding models are short-term and donor-driven, making it difficult to implement long-term solutions. To address this, PHIC is diversifying its funding streams, combining grants with social enterprise models to sustain our health initiatives.”
Cultural barriers, especially surrounding topics like sexual and reproductive health, have also been an ongoing challenge. But Daniel and his team have worked tirelessly to break down these barriers through community engagement and youth-led advocacy.
“We’ve been able to mitigate these challenges by engaging the community and encouraging open dialogues,” he says. “Youth-led advocacy has created more space for these essential conversations.”
The Power of Community Ownership and Collaboration
One of the key lessons Daniel has learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey is the power of community ownership. PHIC’s programs are designed to be community-driven, ensuring that local populations take ownership of their health and well-being. This approach not only guarantees sustainability but also empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their futures.
“Community ownership ensures the sustainability of a project or program,” Daniel explains. “If a community is involved from the start, they feel more invested in the success of the project. And this is how we achieve lasting change.”
But even with a deep commitment to community ownership, Daniel knows that no organization can succeed alone. Strategic partnerships have been essential for PHIC’s growth and impact.
“Collaborations with both local and international stakeholders have been crucial in driving the change we want to see,” Daniel says. “Through partnerships, we can amplify our efforts and reach more people.”
Transformative Success Stories
Despite the many challenges, Daniel and PHIC have achieved considerable success. One of the organization’s most notable projects is their work empowering adolescents and youth with knowledge about sexual and reproductive health. This project has made a significant impact in Uganda, helping young people make informed decisions about their health and futures.
“We have empowered adolescents and youth with knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health,” Daniel says. “We’ve enhanced their understanding of their rights, which allows them to make better decisions for their health. We’ve also integrated climate action into our sexual and reproductive health projects, helping communities understand the connection between climate change and health.”
Through these initiatives, PHIC has not only improved health outcomes but also contributed to broader societal shifts in how sexual and reproductive health is perceived and discussed.
Apart from his work with PHIC, Daniel is also a co-founder of St. Joseph’s Community Medical Centre, a private for-profit medical centre located in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district. As Daniel explains, the centre’s primary goal is “improving access to quality health care for the community.”
Future Projects and Innovation
Looking forward, Daniel is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, particularly in the areas of climate action and health. As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, PHIC is poised to lead the charge in addressing its impact on public health.
“We’re excited about the increasing intersection of climate action and health,” Daniel says. “We’re also looking forward to innovations like eco-friendly menstrual health products and telemedicine, which are revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Africa.”
One of PHIC’s upcoming projects will focus on empowering young people to lead initiatives that integrate climate change and health in marginalized communities across Uganda—a project that reflects Daniel’s belief in the power of youth to drive change.
For Daniel, entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about service. Through his work with PHIC, Daniel has come to understand that true leadership involves listening to the community, co-creating solutions, and engaging people from diverse backgrounds to take ownership of their health.
“The most profound thing I have learned over time is that leadership is about service,” he reflects. “True impact happens by listening to communities, co-creating solutions, and meaningfully engaging people from all walks of life. This has shaped PHIC’s approach, ensuring that every project we do is community-driven, sustainable, and scalable.”
In the face of adversity, Daniel has learned that setbacks are inevitable. However, they also offer valuable lessons that shape his approach to leadership and business.
“Every obstacle offers a new lesson,” he shares. “These experiences shape how I approach moments of crisis, ensuring growth and resilience.”
Daniel Watenga’s work with PHIC continues to improve lives in Uganda and beyond, offering hope and solutions to those most in need. From personal tragedy to transformative change, Daniel’s unwavering commitment to health and justice serves as an inspiring reminder that one person’s vision can spark a movement that changes the world.
