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Government sued over violation of minor’s rights to emergency SRHR care

23 June 2025, 9:18 pm

Byamukama Alozious

A strategic interest case has been filed before the High Court of Uganda against the Attorney General, seeking justice for the gross violations of a 15-year-old girl’s rights to emergency Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care.

The girl, who was defiled in March 2024, resulting in pregnancy, suffered a miscarriage at six months gestation in September 2024. While receiving urgent care at Budondo Health Center IV in Jinja District, she was forcibly removed by an angry mob, subjected to physical assault, public humiliation, and mob violence. Shockingly, instead of receiving protection, the girl was arrested by police officers in her fragile medical condition and detained for two days without medical treatment.

“This case is not just about one girl; it’s about the many women and girls who face similar violations. We demand that the government protects their rights and ensures access to SRH services without fear of violence or detention,” said Immaculate Owomugisha, Executive Director of Centre for Women Justice Uganda.

The applicants, Women With A Mission (WWM) and the Centre for Women Justice Uganda (CWJU), have been closely following the case. According to Betty Balisalamu from WWM, “Women With A Mission has followed up the case from the ground.” They are seeking declarations from the Court that the government’s actions violated the girl’s right to health and access to medical services. They are also seeking compensation for the girl, a review of police conduct to implement safeguards to ensure access to medical care for all detainees, especially minors and survivors of violence, and a government reaffirmation of its commitment to protecting the rights of girls and women.

Immaculate Owomugisha, Excutive director Center for Women Justice Uganda and Betty Balisalamu from Women with a mission during the press conference on 23rd June 2025 in Kamwokya, Kampala

The case highlights the need for the government to protect the rights of girls and women, particularly in accessing SRH services. Attempts to speak to the girl’s mother were unsuccessful at the time of filing this story, as she preferred to maintain her anonymity. The outcome of this case is expected to have significant implications for the protection of SRH rights in Uganda, particularly for women and girls.