Govt granted two weeks to harmonise surrogacy bill

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The Parliament of Uganda has given the Government a two-week deadline to propose amendments to the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2023.

The Bill, sponsored by Sarah Opendi (Tororo District Woman MP, NRM), seeks to regulate human-assisted reproductive technology by designating the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council as the overseeing body.

It provides for the accreditation of fertility centres, the establishment of sperm, oocyte, and embryo banks, and the regulation of gamete and embryo donation and storage.

The Bill also defines the rights and responsibilities of those involved in assisted reproduction, safeguards the rights of children born through such technologies, and mandates a registry for relevant data.

On Wednesday, Opendi was set to move a substantive motion to this effect but was halted when the Government requested for one more day for harmonisation.

However, briefing MPs on Thursday, February 27, 2025; Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja asked for another two weeks to make headway.

“You are aware Hanifa Kawooya (state minister for general duties) is sick and Margret Muhanga (state minister for primary health care) is with the President in Ankole and Hon. Jane Aceng (minister for health) is handling a very delicate matter. I know why they are not here. The motion for the bill to be on committee stage is not yet moved and there is a precedence in this house in the sixth parliament when Honorable Katuntu’s bill on access to information was taken over by Government,” she argued.

“I want you to remember that Hon. Sarah Opendi was a minister in the ministry of health. We have been battling with this bill. We have been making a lot of adjustments, I was of the view that Rt. Hon. Speaker, you allow me to coordinate the ministers and the sponsor and mover of the bill so that we can come here with a harmonized position,” she added.

MPs respond

Her plea was, however, turned down by several lawmakers including Gorett Namugga (Mawogola South, NUP) and Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality, JEEMA). These argued that this would be a waste of lawmaker’s precious time and tax payer’s money.

Adding that there is nothing that stops the executive arm from moving the necessary amendments at the bill’s committee stage where the house considers clause by clause.

“There is no bill that is referred to the committee and Government is not given the first priority to make presentations. The chairpersons and clerks of these committees are under instructions to give the first opportunity or invitation to the attorney general and the line ministers. I am very sure even in this case, the attorney general and line ministers were invited and consulted,” Basalirwa pointed out.

Adding that “It is also not true that at this stage, the executive cannot make amendments. Our rules and the position of our law say amendment at this stage is allowed on two conditions. Number one, if they were not given an opportunity to present the amendments. Number two, if the opportunity was accorded and the committee rejected their proposals.”

Two-week deadline

Despite being opposed to Government’s last-minute dash, Speaker Anita Annet Among gave in. However, not without a word of caution.

“When you look at article 94 (4) (b) a private member has a right to bring a private members bill and I will not be seen to be the one to negate from that. Most of the bills that we have had that we are proud of, that we have successfully passed in this house, that increases our number as bills passed are out of private members,” Among warned.

Before ruling that “in two weeks’ time, this bill will come back to the floor and Prime Minister help us not to go against the constitution because these members have powers to bring a private members bill.”

According to state minister for industry David Bahati, given its importance to the population, there are elements they intend to inculcate into the bill.