KAMPALA – The Uganda Red Cross Society has launched its innovative First Aid Blended Learning (FABL) App, a digital tool aimed at transforming how first aid training is delivered by making it more flexible, affordable, and widely accessible. The app blends online learning with practical sessions, equipping individuals, families, schools, and organizations with vital life-saving skills.
During the launch, Uganda Red Cross Secretary General Robert Kwesiga highlighted the importance of embracing technology to expand access to first aid knowledge. “Through this platform, we are leveraging smartphones to provide first aid training that is both accessible and practical,” he said, stressing its value for different groups in society.
The FABL App provides self-paced theory lessons via smartphones and complements them with in-person sessions for practical application. Available on Google Play and the Red Cross website at a minimum cost of shs150, the program is designed to be affordable for all.
Chief Guest, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Davinia Esther Anyakun, praised the initiative, describing it as a milestone in innovation, safety, and technology-driven transformation. She emphasized that first aid remains the critical first response in emergencies and can often mean the difference between life and death.
The app covers a wide range of modules, including basic and advanced first aid, CPR and resuscitation, family first aid, and workplace safety. By rolling out this program, the Uganda Red Cross Society seeks to promote a culture of preparedness and resilience across communities.
Minister Anyakun also noted the relevance of the initiative to occupational safety and health, pledging her department’s support in integrating the FABL App into their work. She underscored its importance in bridging access gaps, especially in underserved and rural communities.
The launch aligns with Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda and supports key priorities under the Health Sector Development Plan, disaster risk reduction efforts, and the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being.
Kwesiga called on Ugandans to seize the opportunity and enroll in the program: “This app represents a step forward in creating a safer, more prepared society. I encourage everyone to join and take advantage of this innovation.”
Echoing his remarks, Minister Anyakun added: “This is the start of a new era where every Ugandan becomes a confident first aider, capable of saving lives in times of crisis.” With backing from partners such as the Belgian government, the initiative is expected to make a lasting impact both within Uganda and beyond.
