Uganda urged to rethink maternal health strategies to save lives

23 October 2025, 11:39 am

Byamukama Alozious

Despite notable progress in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths, Uganda continues to lose thousands of mothers and newborns to preventable causes, health experts warned during the 5th National Safe Motherhood Conference held in Kampala.

Presiding over the event, Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda, the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, called for renewed commitment to maternal and child health, describing it as “a foundation for national development.” She said, “No woman should lose her life while giving birth. Safe motherhood is not a privilegeit is a right.”

According to Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Commissioner for Reproductive and Infant Health, “Obstetric hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal death, followed by hypertensive disorders, with Kampala recording the highest death rates.” He revealed plans to upgrade several Kampala health centers, including Kisenyi, Kawaala, Kiswa among others to general hospitals to improve service delivery.

The chairperson health service commission, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, emphasized the need for every Health Centre IV to offer Caesarean section services and for more midwives to be recruited. He also decried corruption and absenteeism among health workers, warning that negligence costs mothers’ lives.

Delivering the sub-theme on harnessing culture, values, and ethics for improved maternal and newborn health, the Nnaabagereka urged the adoption of innovative, youth-focused strategies to address persistent gaps.

The conference also heard from Ms. Charlotte Kainerugaba, Uganda’s ambassador for Postpartum Hemorrhage prevention, who reported a 44% increase in immediate postpartum family planning uptake, a sign of progress toward safer motherhood.

Still, speakers agreed that social determinants such as poor infrastructure, teenage pregnancies, and limited emergency care continue to hinder Uganda’s maternal health goals.