By Racheal N. Namuli
Amid the many health-related challenges Ugandans face including a shortage of medical equipment, understaffed health centers, and limited access to services, there exists a silent but deadly crisis: unsafe abortion. This unspoken vice continues to claim the lives of many young girls across the country.
While abortion is largely illegal in Uganda, this law has come under increasing scrutiny, with calls for reform in order to reduce the tragic loss of life among girls seeking to terminate unwanted pregnancies, often in unsafe and unregulated ways.
According to the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, the country recorded a maternal mortality ratio of 336 deaths per 100,000 live births. A significant number of these deaths were attributed to unsafe abortions.
Agnes Kidudu (not her real name), a resident of Kawafu in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, shared her heartbreaking story. Her daughter, a Senior One student, became pregnant without her knowledge. As her condition worsened, the girl disappeared from home for several days. The family was later devastated to learn she had died after attempting to terminate the pregnancy using tea leaves and household detergent.
“If there were medical facilities offering safe abortion services, and if these girls were also educated about safer sex practices or better yet, encouraged to abstain it would be far better than losing them to unsafe abortions carried out in secrecy,” said Kidudu.
Despite efforts by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to raise awareness about reproductive health and rights, significant change has yet to be seen. Many NGOs advocate for the government to consider legalizing and regulating abortion, arguing that many teenagers are sexually active and often face the severe consequences of unwanted pregnancies, sometimes resulting in death.
The harsh truth, which many parents are reluctant to face, is that a growing number of young boys and girls are sexually active, often without the knowledge of their guardians. Unfortunately, some of these adolescents turn to unsafe abortion methods when faced with unplanned pregnancies.
NGOs continue to urge religious and cultural leaders, along with policymakers and community stakeholders, to acknowledge the severity of this issue and engage in open, honest dialogue to find long-term solutions.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report of 2024, the country recorded approximately 18,226 cases of rape and defilement. Many of the young girls involved end up pregnant, often with no support, and feel forced to terminate their pregnancies through unsafe methods.
In rural areas, where access to healthcare is limited, girls commonly use herbs, tea leaves, salt, or detergents in desperate attempts to end pregnancies. Out of fear of being judged or punished by their families, they often keep their actions secret. These dangerous practices frequently result in severe complications or death. Additionally, a backlog of legal cases often denies these girls justice, especially in cases of defilement or rape.
Pauline Nabwire, a medical practitioner at Family Medical Point, says that many Ugandans are unwilling to talk openly about abortion. “Because of the stigma, girls often carry out unsafe abortions in secret. They don’t take the proper medications afterward, which leads to excessive bleeding and, in many cases, death,” she said.
Nabwire called on all stakeholders including the government, religious institutions, and cultural leaders to address this public health crisis directly. “If we don’t act now, more lives will be lost unnecessarily,” she warned.
