A Silent but Growing Trend
The rise in married women abortions in Uganda is reshaping long-held assumptions about who seeks pregnancy termination. Once believed to be an issue primarily affecting teenagers, abortion is now increasingly reported among older, married, and cohabiting women. Recent studies show that nearly one in four women in Kampala who undergo abortions are married or living with a partner.
For many of these women, the decision is linked to unplanned pregnancies that disrupt personal, financial, or health goals. Agatha, a social worker from Bududa District, shared how she turned to abortion after conceiving unexpectedly despite using birth control pills. “I don’t regret it. Conception is a choice and a right,” she said. Her story is echoed by countless others navigating the complex realities of family life, careers, and reproductive health.
Why Married Women Choose Abortion
Health experts note that more women over 40 are now seeking abortion services, often surprising medical professionals. Dr Wilson Bahrunga, a gynaecologist, observes that seven out of ten abortion cases he handles involve women above 40 years. Some mistakenly believe they are no longer fertile, while others fear social stigma or complications tied to late pregnancies.
The reasons extend beyond age. Some women worry about financial strain, while widows or those in extramarital affairs seek abortions to avoid shame. Others, particularly educated women and students, see abortion as a way to protect their education or career ambitions. The underlying factor is often the same: an unintended pregnancy that disrupts carefully laid plans.
Health Risks and Legal Uncertainty
Unsafe procedures remain the leading driver of maternal deaths in Uganda. A 2017 Guttmacher Institute report revealed that Uganda’s abortion rate is slightly above the East African average, with numbers ranging from 18 per 1,000 women in western Uganda to 77 per 1,000 in Kampala. Nearly two-thirds of women who seek post-abortion care are married.
Experts estimate that of Uganda’s two million pregnancies annually, half are unintended. About 400,000 end in abortion, with close to 90,000 resulting in severe health complications. Limited contraceptive use worsens the situation: only 26 percent of married women and 43 percent of unmarried women use modern methods. The lack of clarity around abortion laws also creates confusion for health workers, leaving many women vulnerable to unsafe practices.
Calls for Better Solutions
Medical professionals stress the need for improved family planning options, counselling, and education. Dr Julie Asiimwe of Mbale Hospital argues that expanding access to a broader range of contraceptives would empower women to make better decisions. Human rights lawyer Moses Mulumba has also urged the government to clarify abortion laws, train health workers and judicial officers, and enforce the Maputo Protocol, which allows abortion under specific conditions.
Despite the legal barriers, abortion remains common in Uganda. Many women, especially those who are married, continue to make difficult choices in secrecy, balancing cultural expectations with personal realities. Health experts warn that without reforms in family planning, legal clarity, and social awareness, the number of married women abortions will continue to rise — carrying significant risks for women, families, and the country’s health system.
