Ugandans have shared their thoughts on Law scholars from Makerere University who have made public a decision to drag government to the Constitutional Court for allegedly failing to formulate laws legalizing abortions.
The team supported by civil society organisations; Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) have asked court to order the Executive and Legislative arms of government to pass a law that permits abortion, in order to reduce maternal mortality rates that arise from unsafe pregnancy termination procedures in the country.
The law dons, Prof Ben Twinomugisha and Dr Rose Nakayi, in their petition filed on March 3 and published in part by the Daily Monitor, contend that the existing legislation only permits abortion in exceptional circumstances such as a life of a mother at risk, but doesn’t protect young girls and married women who may get unwanted pregnancies hence resorting to unsafe abortion methods.
This matter has brewed missed reactions from several Ugandans on social media, although very little has been heard from Church leaders and other faith based institutions.
“Our motto is “For God and My Country”. And abortion is illegal and is a grave sin contravening commandment No.6 and any idiot who is addicted to evil and wants to cross the line should do that at their own risk, without dragging the whole country towards that direction.” Simondigital Onyait has said.
Moses Odwoka says, “I think they don’t know what they are agitating for….for instance imagine they where aborted….would they be on this planet earth…if the answer is NO…then they should think twice.”
Moses Okurut Aisu, Director at Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry & Environment Concerns in Uganda says legalizing abortion is the same as legalizing death sentence.
Martine Womerire from Mbale says abortion is a sin, its murder and wages of sin is death.
“Are you the ones who who created that baby you want to abort?” Joyce Mary Adeke asks. “Advocate and teach men and women not to go in for unwanted pregnancies instead of wasting your brains suing gov’t.”
Semwanga Lutaya, a resident in Kampala however differs with the former thoughts on poll. “I’m for planned pregnancy and birth , women should have a right to choose what to do with their bodies, let those who want to abort and those who want to produce do the same.” Semwanga says.
In their petition, Dr Rose Nakayi, who specializes in land law, Human rights and Transitional Justice together with his colleague do not see any reason as to why Uganda should not borrow a leaf from its neighbours who have prescribed circumstances under which a woman is allowed to terminate her pregnancy.
RELATED: Makerere University law dons want gov’t to legalize murder?
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
