KAMPALA, Uganda —Uganda recorded 403 maternal deaths during the first 25 epidemiological weeks of 2026, highlighting the continuing challenge of preventing women from dying during pregnancy and childbirth. Although maternal deaths declined from 26 in epidemiological week 24 to 15 in week 25 (June 15–21), the cumulative toll remains high.
The 15 deaths were reported across 11 health facilities in different regions of the country, underscoring that maternal mortality remains a nationwide public health concern. Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital and Masaka Regional Referral Hospital each recorded two maternal deaths during the week. One death each was reported at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu City, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Tororo General Hospital, Iganga General Hospital, Kamuli General Hospital, St. John XXIII Hospital Aber in Oyam District and Atutur General Hospital in Kumi District.
The Ministry of Health bulletin does not specify the causes of the deaths or provide demographic information about the women affected. It also reported 263 perinatal deaths during the same week, seven more than the previous week, bringing the cumulative number of perinatal deaths in 2026 to 7,857.
Maternal death surveillance aims to identify every maternal death, investigate contributing factors and generate evidence to improve the quality of maternal and newborn health services.
