HEJNU Media Science Café funded by CATALYTIC Fund (IPAS)
On 26 May 2026, the Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) convened a one-day Media Science Café in Kampala sponsored by the CATALYTIC Fund to strengthen journalists’ understanding and reporting of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The session was opened by HEJNU Founder/President Esther Nakkazi and facilitated by Joy Namugembe, with coordination by Jael Namiganda. A total of 17 journalists from online, radio, television, and print media participated alongside a midwife from Mulago Women’s Specialized Hospital, a civil society representative, and a woman with lived experience.
The Media Science Café focused on safe abortion and post-abortion care, providing journalists with evidence-based information, expert perspectives, and firsthand experiences to support accurate, ethical, and balanced reporting on reproductive health issues.
Presenters
- Regina Nakubulwa – Midwife, Mulago Women’s Specialized Hospital
- Tracy Nabbale – Women’s Pro Bono Initiative
- Sharon Namyalo – Survivor and advocate
Presentation Highlights
Regina Nakubulwa provided an overview of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), covering maternal health, family planning, fertility services, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender-based violence, and safe abortion and post-abortion care.
She emphasized that access to accurate, evidence-based reproductive health information is essential for people of all ages and genders. She encouraged journalists to rely on qualified health professionals and credible sources when reporting on SRHR to help counter misinformation and stigma.
Nakubulwa highlighted the importance of strengthening access to youth-friendly services, improving community awareness, and addressing the legal and social barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing essential reproductive healthcare. She also underscored the role of family planning before conception, during pregnancy, and after childbirth in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Unsafe Abortion and Post-Abortion Care
A key focus of the discussion was the burden of unsafe abortion in Uganda and its contribution to maternal illness and death. Nakubulwa explained that many women and girls resort to unsafe methods because of stigma, fear, poverty, legal uncertainty, and limited access to quality reproductive health services.
The session explored the serious health consequences of unsafe abortion, including severe bleeding, infection, infertility, sepsis, and death. Participants also discussed how delayed access to post-abortion care can worsen health outcomes.
To illustrate these challenges, Regina shared a real-life case of a university student who died after developing severe sepsis following an unsafe abortion. The case underscored the need for timely access to quality post-abortion care, comprehensive reproductive health information, and responsible media reporting that informs the public while reducing stigma.
Throughout the session, journalists were encouraged to report on reproductive health issues accurately, ethically, and with sensitivity, using evidence and expert sources to help improve public understanding of SRHR.
Regina Nakubulwa, Midwife at Mulago women’s Specialized Hospital
Nakubulwa emphasized the importance of distinguishing between safe and unsafe abortion procedures. She stressed that women require accurate information, professional medical care, counseling, and psychological support. The discussion also highlighted the economic burden faced by women seeking treatment for complications arising from unsafe abortions, including costly investigations, surgeries, and prolonged hospitalization.
Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Rights
Gender-Based Violence, Reproductive Rights and Adolescent Health
Nakubulwa addressed gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence and sexual abuse, highlighting how stigma, fear of discrimination, and cultural barriers often prevent survivors from seeking timely support and services. She emphasized the need for stronger community awareness, survivor-centred responses, and supportive environments where individuals can access care without fear or judgment.
Participants discussed the importance of engaging men and boys in reproductive health conversations to promote shared responsibility in family planning, reproductive decision-making, and prevention of gender-based violence.
The session also highlighted reproductive health rights, including the right to access accurate information, make informed decisions, and obtain quality reproductive health services. Nakubulwa emphasized the importance of gender equality, bodily autonomy, respect for reproductive rights, and equitable participation of both women and men in reproductive health decisions.
She further explored the link between reproductive health and poverty reduction, explaining that access to reproductive health information and services enables individuals and families to make informed choices about childbearing, improve household wellbeing, increase productivity, and reduce financial strain.
The discussion highlighted the health risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies and frequent childbirth, including postpartum haemorrhage, anaemia, maternal complications, and increased risk of maternal deaths. Participants were encouraged to promote antenatal care attendance and skilled birth attendance to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.
Adolescent Reproductive Health Challenges
The session highlighted key reproductive health challenges affecting adolescents, including:
- Early and unintended pregnancies.
- Sexual abuse, including incest.
- Limited access to accurate reproductive health information.
- Inadequate access to adolescent-friendly health services.
- Social stigma and misconceptions surrounding contraceptive use.
- Unsafe abortion practices among adolescents.
Community and School Engagement
Nakubulwa emphasized the importance of involving schools, parents, religious leaders, community leaders, and other stakeholders in creating supportive environments for adolescent health education.
Participants highlighted the role of schools in providing age-appropriate reproductive health information to help adolescents make informed decisions, prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce risks of unsafe abortion, and address issues such as sexual abuse and exploitation.
The session underscored that improving adolescent reproductive health outcomes requires coordinated efforts among families, communities, health providers, educators, policymakers, and the media to promote accurate information, reduce stigma, and strengthen access to services.
Journalists who attended the cafe
Community Support and Recommendations
Participants emphasized the need for stronger community support systems to enable adolescents to access counselling, accurate reproductive health information, and professional health services without fear, stigma, or discrimination.
Role of Organizations in Advancing Reproductive Health
Nakubulwa highlighted the contribution of organizations working to strengthen reproductive health services, advocacy, and rights-based approaches in Uganda, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development, and the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda.
These organizations were recognized for their efforts in promoting reproductive health rights, strengthening the capacity of health workers, advocating for quality reproductive health services, and supporting youth-friendly health programmes.
Key Recommendations
The session generated several recommendations aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes, including:
- Strengthening reproductive health education in schools and communities.
- Increasing public awareness about the dangers and health consequences of unsafe abortion.
- Expanding access to quality, professional reproductive health services.
- Increasing availability of youth-friendly reproductive health information, counselling, and services.
- Promoting community engagement in addressing reproductive health challenges affecting adolescents.
- Strengthening health worker training on comprehensive post-abortion care and supportive services.
- Reducing stigma around reproductive health discussions and services.
- Expanding access to psychological and emotional support for individuals experiencing reproductive health challenges.
- Strengthening policies and interventions aimed at reducing maternal illness and deaths associated with unsafe abortion.
Presentation by Tracy Nabbale
Organization: Women’s Pro Bono Initiative
Tracy Nabbale from the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative discussed the legal, public health, and human rights dimensions of abortion and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Uganda. Her presentation focused on the barriers women and girls face in accessing reproductive health information and services, including stigma, legal uncertainty, discrimination, and limited access to support systems.
She explained that the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative works to address discrimination against women through legal advocacy, public awareness, and rights-based support services.
Tracy highlighted that abortion is often discussed primarily through moral and religious perspectives, but it is also a public health and human rights issue. She noted that restrictive environments can increase the risk of unsafe abortion by pushing women and girls toward unregulated and dangerous practices.
Journalists were encouraged to approach reporting on abortion and SRHR through an evidence-based and human rights lens, while recognizing the complex social, legal, and health factors affecting women and girls.
Barriers Affecting Women and Girls
The session highlighted the multiple challenges women and girls experience when seeking reproductive health services, including stigma, poverty, gender-based violence, and lack of timely support.
A case study was shared involving a 15-year-old girl who experienced sexual violence, became pregnant, and was subsequently forced to leave school. The discussion demonstrated how sexual violence and inadequate support systems can have long-term consequences for girls’ health, education, and future opportunities.
The case reinforced the importance of comprehensive reproductive health education, survivor-centred support services, and community and institutional responses that protect the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
TRACY NABBALE – From Women’s Pro Bono Initiative
Barriers to Accessing Reproductive Health Services
Tracy explained that many girls lack access to comprehensive sexuality education, leaving them without adequate information about their reproductive health rights, available services, consent, and protection from sexual abuse.
Financial barriers were also identified as a significant challenge, with some women and girls unable to afford the cost of reproductive health services, including post-abortion care and other essential support.
The session highlighted the serious health consequences associated with unsafe abortion practices, including:
- Severe bleeding
- Infection and sepsis
- Infertility
- Psychological trauma
- Maternal death
Tracy emphasized the need for affordable, accessible, and quality reproductive health services that ensure women and girls can seek care without fear, discrimination, or financial barriers.
Legal Framework and Policy Challenges
Tracy explained that abortion in Uganda is restricted but not entirely prohibited. She referred to provisions within Uganda’s legal framework, including constitutional provisions and previous Ministry of Health guidance on sexual and reproductive health and safe abortion care.
However, she noted that the withdrawal of previous guidelines that provided direction to health workers has created uncertainty among both healthcare providers and patients. The lack of clear policy guidance, she said, contributes to fear among health workers and may limit access to appropriate care.
She further discussed provisions within the Penal Code Act that criminalize certain abortion-related practices, highlighting how legal uncertainty can increase the risks faced by women seeking reproductive health services and health workers providing care.
Importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Tracy highlighted the impact of limited access to comprehensive sexuality education, noting that many adolescents remain vulnerable due to inadequate information about reproductive health, contraception, consent, and prevention of sexual violence.
She emphasized that age-appropriate sexuality education can contribute to reducing:
- Teenage pregnancies
- Unsafe abortions
- Sexual exploitation
- Gender-based violence
- School dropout among girls
Participants called for stronger integration of age-appropriate reproductive health education in schools and communities to ensure adolescents have accurate information and can make informed decisions about their health.
Tracy also shared comparisons with Rwanda, noting discussions around how different policy approaches to reproductive health have influenced maternal health outcomes and unsafe abortion-related complications. Journalists were encouraged to examine evidence and promote informed public discussions on policies that prioritize women’s health, safety, and dignity.
Role of Journalists in SRHR Advocacy
A key focus of the session was strengthening the role of journalists in promoting accurate and responsible reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Journalists were encouraged to:
- Report accurately and ethically on SRHR issues.
- Use evidence-based information and credible sources in their reporting.
- Highlight the lived experiences of women and girls while protecting their dignity and privacy.
- Hold institutions accountable for gaps in reproductive health services and policies.
- Challenge stigma and misinformation surrounding abortion and reproductive health.
Tracy emphasized the need to address unsafe abortion as both a public health and human rights concern. The discussion highlighted how stigma, poverty, limited access to information, and inadequate services continue to place women and girls at risk.
The session reinforced the importance of access to accurate reproductive health information, affordable health services, supportive policies, and responsible journalism in reducing preventable maternal illness and deaths linked to unsafe abortion.
Recommendations
The following recommendations were proposed during the Media Science Café:
- Strengthen public awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights.
- Improve access to safe, affordable, and quality reproductive health services.
- Strengthen comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities.
- Provide clear legal and policy guidance for health workers on reproductive health services.
- Reduce stigma and discrimination against women and girls seeking reproductive healthcare.
- Continue investing in journalist training on accurate and ethical SRHR reporting.
- Strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations, journalists, and government institutions.
- Promote policies that protect women’s health, dignity, and reproductive rights.
Survivor Testimony: Sharon Namyalo
Sharon Namyalo
Survivor Testimony: Sharon Namyalo
Sharon Namyalo, a survivor of unsafe abortion, shared her personal experience to highlight the challenges young people face when they lack access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information, supportive environments, and quality health services.
Sharon explained that she grew up with a single father and had limited opportunities to discuss sexuality and reproductive health while growing up. At the age of 15, she became pregnant but was afraid to disclose the situation to her father due to fear and uncertainty about how he would respond.
She instead sought help from a friend who took her to a clinic where she underwent an abortion procedure. Although she initially believed the procedure had been successful, she later developed complications, including prolonged bleeding that continued for several months.
Sharon described repeatedly seeking help from the health worker who had provided the service but received different explanations about her condition. Over time, communication with the health worker stopped, leaving her without the support and follow-up care she needed.
Her condition eventually improved after another health worker intervened and provided appropriate medical care. Sharon shared that the experience was physically and emotionally distressing and demonstrated the importance of timely access to quality post-abortion care, accurate information, and supportive health services.
Call for Action
Drawing from her experience, Sharon called for increased investment in public health facilities and the expansion of accessible, youth-friendly services where young people can receive confidential counselling and accurate sexual and reproductive health information without fear or judgment.
She also encouraged parents and caregivers to build open and supportive relationships with their children, allowing young people to discuss sensitive issues such as sexuality, relationships, and reproductive health.
Sharon emphasized that comprehensive sexuality education plays an important role in helping young people understand their health choices, prevent unintended pregnancies, and make informed decisions about their futures.
Her testimony reinforced the importance of survivor-centred approaches, stronger support systems, and improved access to reproductive health information and services for adolescents and young people.
Some stories from the media engagement:
– https://theugpost.com/awareness-and-access-issues-fuel-unsafe-abortion-practices/
– “Mama FM – The Voice To Listen To” https://www.radiocomnetu.org/mamafm/2026/05/27/5817/
