INTRODUCTION
The Media Café:
On Friday, 9th January 2026, the Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) supported by the CATALYSTS Consortium Project held a one-day health café with media practitioners in Kampala and upcountry.
Presided over by the HEJNU President, media trainer and freelance science Esther Nakkazi, the engagement was attended by at least 20 journalists, a doctor from the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Uganda, and members of civil society. The participants included journalists from online platforms, radio, television, and newspapers. The café discussed and highlighted reproductive health issues, focusing on safe abortion and post-abortion care.
Presenters
Dr. Kayondo Simon Peter
Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocate
Ruth Ajalo, Head of the Strategic Litigation Programme at the Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).
Nantume Allen, an activist.
The engagement aimed to:
- Provide training on abortion, human rights, and legal frameworks.
- Actively counter stigma and misinformation through media engagement.
- Advocate for rights-based, quality abortion and post-abortion care.
- Push for legal and policy reform.
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms for health system failures.
Dr. Kayondo Simon Peter started his presentation by outlining the clinical realities of abortion care in Uganda, focusing on maternal mortality, unsafe abortion, stigma within healthcare systems, and the impact of restrictive laws. He also highlighted the role of the media and health workers in promoting accurate information and stigma-free care.
Kayondo noted that maternal mortality has reduced from 336 to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births in recent years, with a national target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
He stressed that unsafe abortion contributes approximately 6% of maternal deaths, accounting for nearly 2,800 deaths annually, with more statistics showing that about 300,000 induced abortions occur annually in Uganda.
Dr. Kayondo Simon Peter emphasized that abortion does not stop due to legal restrictions; instead, unsafe abortion increases. He highlighted:
- High rates of unsafe abortion among adolescents and young women due to poor contraceptive uptake.
- Persistent stigma and judgment from health workers, which delays care and increases complications.
- The need to eliminate discrimination and treat abortion complications like any other medical emergency.
Dr. Kayondo said that the legal context and post-abortion care show that Ugandan law permits abortion only to save a woman’s life.
- Legal ambiguity leads to fear among providers and denial of care.
- Post-abortion care is legal, mandatory, and life-saving, regardless of how the abortion occurred.
He, however, stressed that harm reduction and self-care approaches are essential in restrictive settings.
- National self-care and post-abortion care guidelines exist but are underutilized.
- Greater dissemination and training are needed for health workers and communities.
On contraception and prevention, Dr. Kayondo said modern contraceptive prevalence remains low at 38%, with a target of 50% in the coming years. He stressed that barriers include side effects, myths, male partner resistance, and limited counselling.
He said that unsafe abortion is driven by:
- Lack of contraception and sexuality education
- Poverty and gender inequality
- Stigma, religious opposition, and misinformation
Consequences include maternal death, school dropout, economic hardship, and family breakdown.
Key Action Points from Dr. Kayondo Simon Peter
- Promote universal access to post-abortion care.
- Address stigma among health workers.
- Disseminate self-care and PAC guidelines.
- Improve access to contraception and sexuality education.
- Clarify legal provisions for providers and patients.
RUTH AJALO
Ruth presented a civil society and human rights perspective on abortion in Uganda, situating abortion care within broader frameworks of health, human rights, and reproductive justice. The presentation emphasized systemic failures, legal barriers, and the role of advocacy and media.
She said that abortion and post-abortion care are defined within medical and human rights frameworks, but stressed that Uganda’s social and legal context is highly sensitive, restrictive, and stigmatizing.
Ruth stressed that the Penal Code criminalizes abortion, attempted abortion, and assistance. Legal restrictions disproportionately affect poor, young, and marginalized women, and a lack of legal literacy among providers and communities increases fear and denial of care.
Ruth highlighted how:
- Stigma, cultural norms, and religious narratives fuel secrecy and unsafe abortion.
- Misinformation shapes public attitudes and media reporting.
- Women experience social exclusion, family rejection, and economic harm.
She said abortion and post-abortion care are linked to the rights to health, life, dignity, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment.
Ruth emphasized that denial of care constitutes a human rights violation.
She noted that civil society organizations play a critical role in:
- Legal literacy and rights education
- Media engagement to shift narratives
- Accountability and advocacy for system reform
- Supporting women and providers facing legal challenges
ALLEN N
Allen’s presentation focused on the dangers of unsafe abortion and highlighted the social, economic, and health challenges faced by women who lack access to safe and supportive reproductive health services. The presentation was centred on a real-life narrative shared by Annet, a mother of five, whose experience illustrated the severe consequences of unsafe abortion practices.
Allen narrated how Annet became pregnant with what would have been her sixth child. Annet explained that her decision to terminate the pregnancy was heavily influenced by pressure from her husband, who threatened to abandon her and their five children if she had another baby.
Annet reported that she initially sought help from hospitals but was turned away and denied services. With no professional medical support, she turned to friends for advice, who recommended unsafe methods. After using these methods, she began to bleed excessively, and her health deteriorated rapidly, putting her life at serious risk.
Eventually, Annet returned to one of the hospitals she had previously visited. Although she was treated with indifference by some nurses, she later received medical care that saved her life. However, the treatment was extremely expensive, adding financial strain to her situation.
Allen’s presentation highlighted:
- The pressure women face from partners in making reproductive decisions
- Lack of access to safe and non-judgmental abortion services
- The dangers of unsafe abortion methods
- Negative attitudes of some health workers toward women seeking post-abortion care
- High medical costs associated with treating complications from unsafe abortions
