Religious fundamentalisms and its influence on regulating reproductive rights in Uganda

Abstract

This research reflects on the influence of religious fundamentalisms on the proposed Human Assisted Reproductive Technology bill of 2023 in Uganda and how this shall affect the reproductive rights of people who do not conform to the heteronormative standards of sexuality and reproduction. Uganda has domesticated several international and regional human rights instruments that demonstrate an aspiration to rely on human rights standards and norms when legislating on reproductive rights but by adopting very narrow criteria on who can use Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), outlawing commercial surrogacy and failing to address the exorbitant cost of ARTs, the bill instead stands to violate reproductive rights by limiting choice all in a bid to centre the ‘natural’ family within reproduction. The research is divided into six chapters with chapter 1 giving background and context, chapter 2 discussing the theoretical framework of reproductive justice, chapter 3 analysing the obligations of Uganda under the human rights system, chapter 4 discussing the influence of religious fundamentalisms on reproductive rights in Uganda, chapter 5 looking at comparative legislation on ARTs from India and South Africa and chapter 6 making recommendations for embracing reproductive rights within ARTs.