By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
A notice from the female warden’s office at Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU) requesting female students to undergo mandatory pregnancy test as one of the pre-requisites for the academic year 2023/2024 has left many parents and activists reeling with shock.
The mandatory test has lifted the lid on what is now believed to have now become a norm in several private institutions in the country.
In a notice dated September 16, IUIU directed all female students to test for pregnancy with the University Health Centre between 20 and 26 September, 2023 without excuse.
The letter also attracted heated social media debate with some people questioning the legitimacy of such a request, and the message it sends to girls who could be pregnant but are interested in continuing their education.
Feminists and other human rights activists have described the practice as outdated, ill motivated and an infringement on girls’ rights.
Rahom Bukirwa, the Women Probono Initiative (WPI) programme manager says that University students are aged and should be allowed to make decisions on what is good or bad for them.
“IUIU and all universities should focus on promoting comprehensive sexual education, accessible reproductive health care and support systems for students rather than mandating pregnancy testing,” said
WPUveve argues that compelling students to undergo compulsory testing may have severe implications on their emotional well being such as causing anxieties, stress and other mental disorders.
They demand that the university, policy makers and other education institutions reject implementation of mandatory pregnancy testing for students and provide a conducive learning environment that promotes personal rights, inclusion and wellbeing of students.
The IUIU PRO, Rehema Kantono however says the policy is inline with the Islamic values on which the institution is grounded.
“Our students and staff receive rules and regulations that guide them so that they don’t violate Islamic values. Pregnancy test is one of these policies and it has not started today,” he said.
