In 2025, abortion is legal in Uganda only in limited cases, such as rape, incest, fetal anomalies, or HIV-positive pregnancies. All other abortions are criminalized.
In Uganda, abortion remains a highly controversial issue. Due to limited access to safe and legal options, many women resort to unsafe abortion practices. The Ugandan Ministry of Health reported that in 2018, 5.3% of all maternal deaths were due to complications from unsafe abortions. The high rate of unintended pregnancies, driven by limited access to contraception, exacerbates the situation.
More than half of all pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, and nearly a third of these end in abortion.
In this blog, we take an in-depth look at abortion in Uganda.
Is Abortion Legal in Uganda in 2025?
- Abortion is illegal except in cases of
- fetal anomalies,
- pregnancy due to rape or incest, and
- HIV-positive pregnancies.
- There are severe penalties for unauthorized abortions (life imprisonment for providers).
- The legal gray areas make access difficult.
How Much Does an Abortion Cost in Uganda?
The cost varies depending on who is performing the abortion. Since abortion is legally restricted in most cases, even skilled providers have to operate clandestinely, which often compromises the safety of the procedures and leads to high service costs.
According to a recent news report and a 2003 study, this is what abortions cost in Uganda:
- at a private clinic – $103 to $155,
- through a doctor (clandestine) – $25 to $88,
- through nurses or midwives – $14 to $31,
- through a traditional healer – $12 to $34, and
- self-induced – $4 to $14.
According to a 2013 study, the health-care system in Uganda spent nearly $130 per patient in 2009 to treat complications from unsafe abortions, with total annual costs estimated at $14 million.
Safe Abortion Clinics & Resources in Uganda (2025)
Abortion services in Uganda are provided by doctors, midwives, nurses, and clinical officers. Some individuals use traditional healers; however, they are not regulated by the medical community, and their methods can lead to serious health complications.
Due to the legal restrictions and fear of prosecution, many health-care providers are reluctant to perform abortions, even in legally permissible circumstances. This reluctance leads women to seek clandestine services, often with dangerous consequences.
Organizations in Uganda that provide abortion information and post-abortion care services:
- Marie Stopes Uganda
- Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU)
- Aunt Kaki-COHERINET
- The Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF)
- DKT International
- safe2choose.org
What Are the Latest Abortion Law Updates in Uganda?
2017 and 2020: Local human rights groups filed cases before the constitutional court seeking the decriminalization of abortion, which are pending a verdict.
2020: Uganda, along with six other countries, signed a nonbinding international anti-abortion declaration to counter a UN declaration of abortion as a human right.
2022: The Women’s Pro Bono Initiative filed a case with the East African Court of Justice seeking an order for the Ugandan government to reinstate the abortion policy guidelines withdrawn in 2016 due to political and religious pressure.
FAQs
Q: Is abortion legal in Uganda in 2025?
A: Abortion in Uganda is illegal except in cases of fetal anomalies, rape, incest, or HIV-positive pregnancies. Legal restrictions make access difficult.
Q: How much does an abortion cost in Uganda?
A: Abortion costs in Uganda range from $4 to $155, depending on the provider. Unsafe abortions are cheaper but pose severe health risks.
Q: Where can I find safe abortion services in Uganda?
A: Safe abortion care is available through Marie Stopes Uganda, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), and online platforms like safe2choose.org.
How Can You Access Safe Abortion in Uganda?
- Know your rights by familiarizing yourself with the laws and circumstances under which abortion is legal.
- Consult a health-care provider to determine your options.
- Act without delay as legal and medical options may become more limited as the pregnancy advances.
- Always choose safe options.
- Seek services from trained medical professionals in proper health-care facilities.
- Look for reliable abortion pill providers (you can safely use abortion pills at home).
- Consider post-abortion care to manage potential complications.
- Get contraceptive counseling.
If you need more information, contact us at info@safe2choose.org.
Our medically-trained counselors are available from Monday to Friday to answer your questions. They speak over 10 languages, including English, Spanish, and Kiswahili, and are located in different parts of the world, which enables them to provide culturally relevant advice.