Africa-Press – Uganda. For Simon Mugerwa, being awarded Uganda’s 2024 Community Health Worker of the Year was more than just an award—it was a turning point that elevated both his voice and his impact.
Speaking about how the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) changed his life, Mugerwa shared that the recognition not only strengthened trust within the communities he serves but also opened new doors for him to scale his mission of protecting and empowering the vulnerable.
“Ever since I received this award, my life has greatly changed,” he said.
“I’ve gained more trust from the community, more recognition from stakeholders, and even secured a new job that allows me to keep making a difference.”
Today, Simon works with International Justice Mission (IJM), where he serves as a Community Engagement Coordinator.
His current role may be within a legal advocacy organization, but the heart of his work remains the same: ensuring that marginalized people can access the services they deserve—whether it’s justice, safety, or healthcare.
“When you compare what I’m doing now with what I was doing as a community health worker, it’s not very different. Both are about community empowerment and making sure no one is left behind,” he said.
Mugerwa believes the HIHA award gave credibility to his approach, especially in areas where access to health services remains low—not because facilities don’t exist, but because people simply lack the right information.
“Government has put in place different health facilities, but many people still don’t know how to access services. So they miss out, or worse, they resort to unsafe alternatives,” he explained.
The recognition also inspired Mugerwa to expand his work into schools.
Through new partnerships with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Health, Simon helped organize a mass free eye care outreach, reaching 35,812 students in KCCA schools.
“We believe that if these children aren’t supported, some of them will drop out of school because of untreated vision problems. That’s how this award is indirectly saving futures,” he added.
For Simon, the Heroes in Health Awards are more than a ceremony—they’re a catalyst. He called on the public to continue supporting the initiative and honoring the unsung heroes working at the grassroots.
“This is a very powerful award. I want to appreciate the people who created it,” Mugerwa said.
“It’s not just about recognition—it’s about lifting the people who are already lifting others.”
As Uganda prepares for the 2025 edition of the HIHA Awards, Mugerwa’s story is a shining example of how recognizing one person can mobilize change across an entire system—and community.
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