The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Islamic university in Uganda has advised a women’s pro bono initiative and other female activists opposed to the mandatory pregnancy tests at the institution to respect the university’s values and principles.
Recently, a memo was posted on the notice board of the Mbale-based university notifying all female resident students about the requirement for a mandatory pregnancy test before the semester commences. The memo has since created a debate on online platforms and in the public.
This is to inform you that the pregnancy test for this semester will begin on Wednesday 20 September 2023 to Tuesday 26th September at the university health centre starting at 8;00 am – 5; 00 pm,” the memo read in parts.
In response, the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative (WPI) an NGO in the field of offering legal support to females and girls has since come out and expressed strong objections to mandatory pregnancy tests. The group composed of mainly female lawyers has written a letter to the university rector and issued a press statement, calling for the rejection of its implementation.
Rahom Maria Bukirwa, the Program Manager at WPI, emphasized that mandatory pregnancy testing for students is perceived as infringing upon students’ rights and potentially impacting their emotional well-being.
Bukirwa emphasized that compulsory pregnancy testing goes against the principle of informed consent. It’s crucial to acknowledge that the choice to take a pregnancy test should be made by the individual.
According to Bukirwa, enforcing these tests on students without their agreement diminishes their autonomy and disrespects their right to make personal decisions about their bodies.“Subjecting students to mandatory pregnancy testing perpetuates harmful stereotypes and assumptions. It presupposes that all female students are sexually active and potentially pregnant, thus reinforcing outdated notions of morality and stigmatizing those who may not conform to societal expectations,” she said.
She further noted that the policy in question fails to address the diverse circumstances and experiences of students and may lead to discrimination and marginalization.
The Women Probono Initiative recommended that the university prioritize the promotion of comprehensive sexual education, easily accessible reproductive healthcare, and support networks for students instead of imposing mandatory pregnancy testing. Bukirwa added that by offering students the essential tools, knowledge, and assistance, the university enables them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health while upholding their autonomy.
The statement has sparked discontent among some members of the Muslim community, with various voices on social media suggesting that the Women Pro Bono Initiative (WPI) is intruding into an area where they lack understanding.
But Rehema Kantono, the Public Relations Officer at IUIU, stated that the institution is rooted in Islamic principles, and as a result, both students and staff are expected to adhere to rules and regulations that align with these values. She pointed out that pregnancy tests are among the requirements for female students, as long as they are not married.
Kantono emphasized that these tests have been standard practice at IUIU for many years and do not compromise students’ privacy, as the results are not made public. However, she also noted that these pregnancy tests are not unique to IUIU, as many educational and other institutions also conduct similar tests.
In 1988, the Islamic University in Uganda came into existence through a bilateral agreement between the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Government of Uganda (GOU). Subsequently, in 1990, the Ugandan Parliament passed legislation that officially recognized and established the university.
The university’s primary objective at its inception was to deliver high-quality education while upholding Islamic values and principles. Although deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, IUIU is inclusive and welcomes students from a wide array of cultural and religious backgrounds.
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The women’s Organisations must know their boundaries. They should also know that the students are well aware about the values of the IUIU but still they went and joined it meaning that they consented to the University’s values of which the pregnancy test is one. if the students are not complaining of it why should the unmarried women or the married women but are not governed by good moral values contend against the holy values?
Such women have confused our societal values! Young girls have misused their bodies by producing whose fathers are not known by anyone and when such girls die these children go onto the streets begging and these women will be nowhere to help such children! When should they then advocate for the naked wickedness in our society? I see their names implying that they are Christians but does the Christian doctrine they confess uphold such pregnancies? Shame upon the promoters of wickedness in the Church of Christ; they are doomed!
With dew respect Sir
If some one is married, she is likely to be pregnant at any one time of the year
How will you tell if the conception was in line with good moral values
The last time I knew, knowledge is acquired
From what is known, pregnant women often conceive
A University has well defined policies to suit its values
The Policy may be unfair to the female gender
People who are exposed are free to point out these tendencies.
If you consider conception to be unholy, it goes without saying that you will ignore problems related to the pregnancy and deny babies the right to exclusive breast feeding
Does the word ” emancipation of the female” make sense when a primary gender role is being regulated?
With due respect
From what is known married women ( traditional/ religious) often conceive
The unmarried who conceive have several options and carrying the pregnancy to term requires a lot of courage and is often informed by religious belief
The other options are not safe and are associated with mental anguish and regret
When supported to study these females are not any different from the ones who were able to successfully comply with good moral values
Let society get the best solution for this wickedness and include the male gender in solving this problem
These self conceited males are the unknown father’s that you refer to