Date: 15 June 2026
Venue: Kampala
Organizer: Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU)
On 15 June 2026, the Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) convened a one-day Media Science Café in Kampala to strengthen journalists’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights, with particular focus on safe abortion, post-abortion care, and the public health implications of unsafe abortion.
The meeting was led by HEJNU Team leader Esther Nakkazi and coordinated by Jael Namiganda, and attended by 22 journalists from print, radio, television, and online media outlets.
Objectives
The Health Café aimed to:
- Increase journalists’ knowledge of abortion as a public health issue.
- Improve understanding of Uganda’s legal and policy environment on abortion.
- Build media capacity to report accurately, ethically, and sensitively on reproductive health issues.
- Promote evidence-based reporting that contributes to informed public dialogue and reduced stigma.
Speakers
- Dr. Peter Ssebaduka, Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda (AOGU)
- Mwebaze Joseph, Centre for Women Justice Uganda
- Gabriella Kokumbya, survivor and advocate
Key Discussions: Abortion as a Public Health Issue
Dr. Peter Ssebaduka presented abortion from a public health perspective, drawing on more than 30 years of medical experience. He explained that Uganda’s abortion laws are restrictive, permitting abortion only under limited circumstances. Fear of legal consequences, combined with cultural and religious beliefs, often discourages women from seeking safe reproductive health services.
He emphasized that stigma and criminalization contribute to unsafe abortion practices, increasing preventable illness and deaths among women and girls.
Health Consequences of Unsafe Abortion
Participants learned about the immediate and long-term health consequences of unsafe abortion.
Short-term complications include:
- Severe bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to reproductive organs
- Death in severe cases
Long-term consequences include:
- Infertility
- Psychological trauma
- Family and marital challenges
- Social isolation and stigma
Dr. Ssebaduka stressed that quality post-abortion care is essential in reducing maternal illness and mortality.
Maternal Health and Underlying Factors
The discussion highlighted unsafe abortion as an important contributor to preventable maternal deaths in Uganda.
Dr. Ssebaduka explained that unintended pregnancies are often linked to inadequate sexual and reproductive health education and limited understanding of reproductive health. He also identified several factors influencing abortion decisions, including:
- Poverty and financial hardship
- School attendance and educational aspirations
- Unstable relationships
- Fear of family rejection
- Social stigma and discrimination
Participants discussed the importance of expanding access to family planning information, reproductive health education, and quality post-abortion care to reduce unintended pregnancies and prevent complications.
Addressing Stigma and Improving Access
Dr. Ssebaduka noted that cultural, religious, and social norms remain significant barriers to reproductive healthcare. He highlighted the need for respectful, non-judgmental care and stronger community dialogue to reduce stigma.
He also shared initiatives implemented by the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda, including:
- Community sensitization and education
- Training healthcare workers in respectful care
- Self-care reproductive health initiatives
- Harm reduction approaches
- Community outreach through peer educators
- A reproductive health call centre providing free information and guidance
He encouraged journalists, policymakers, religious and cultural leaders, and civil society organizations to work together in promoting informed public discussion on reproductive health.
Civil Society Perspective
Mwebaze Joseph of the Centre for Women Justice Uganda discussed unsafe abortion as a major public health challenge contributing to maternal mortality and disability, particularly among poor women, adolescent girls, and survivors of sexual violence.
He noted that many women resort to unsafe abortion because of financial barriers, limited access to quality reproductive healthcare, and fear of stigma.
Joseph also highlighted the legal challenges faced by healthcare providers, explaining that fear of prosecution discourages some providers from offering lifesaving reproductive health services.
He urged stakeholders to shift discussions on abortion from moral debates toward evidence-based public health responses that prioritize women’s health and survival.
His recommendations included:
- Expanding access to free, quality post-abortion care
- Strengthening comprehensive reproductive health education
- Increasing public awareness of reproductive health rights
- Protecting healthcare providers acting in patients’ best interests
- Improving emergency reproductive health services, particularly in underserved communities
Survivor Testimony
Gabriella Kokumbya shared her personal experience of facing an unintended pregnancy while studying nursing.
She described the emotional distress, fear of losing her education, family expectations, and institutional policies that influenced her decision. Her testimony illustrated how stigma, economic pressures, and limited support systems can shape reproductive health decisions for young women.
Participants reflected on the importance of providing adolescents and young women with accurate reproductive health information, counselling, and supportive services to enable informed decision-making.
Case Discussion
Participants also discussed the case of a 15-year-old girl suspected to be pregnant. Following counselling and medical assessment, her pregnancy test was negative.
The case demonstrated the importance of family support, counselling, and access to accurate reproductive health information before conclusions are made or decisions taken.
Key Recommendations
Participants recommended:
- Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education.
- Expanding access to family planning information and services.
- Increasing availability of quality post-abortion care.
- Training healthcare workers to provide respectful, stigma-free services.
- Supporting adolescents facing unintended pregnancies through counselling and referral services.
- Increasing community awareness to reduce stigma surrounding reproductive health.
- Promoting collaboration among healthcare providers, media, policymakers, civil society, religious leaders, and cultural institutions.
- Addressing cultural and social barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing reproductive healthcare.
Outcome
The Health Café equipped journalists with improved knowledge of abortion, post-abortion care, Uganda’s legal framework, and the broader public health implications of unsafe abortion.
Participants strengthened their capacity to report accurately, ethically, and sensitively on sexual and reproductive health issues while contributing to informed public dialogue and reducing stigma surrounding reproductive healthcare.
