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Bill to regulate surrogacy tabled in Uganda parliament

Uganda’s parliament has introduced a bill aimed at tightening regulations surrounding surrogacy, restricting its use to individuals facing infertility or health impediments hindering natural reproduction.

The proposed bill, tabled by Ugandan MP Sarah Opendi, also aims to establish a minimum age requirement of 18 for surrogates, with stringent penalties awaiting medical practitioners who flout these provisions.

Under the bill, medical practitioners could face imprisonment for up to five years if found guilty of violating the outlined regulations. Additionally, the utilization of their own gametes or embryos, or those not authorized by their clients, could lead to life imprisonment.

Moreover, donors must undergo screening to ensure they are free of genetic diseases, further emphasizing the bill’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all involved parties.

Entitled the Human-Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, the proposed legislation extends beyond surrogacy regulations, seeking to introduce comprehensive guidelines for various aspects of human-assisted reproduction. This includes the licensing and regulation of fertility centers, as well as oversight of sperm, oocyte, and embryo donation and storage.

Crucially, the bill also aims to introduce safeguards for children born through assisted reproduction methods, marking a significant step towards ensuring their rights and welfare.

Commenting on the bill, MP Sarah Opendi emphasized Uganda’s potential to become a global leader in legislating assisted reproduction practices, underscoring the nation’s commitment to enacting robust regulatory frameworks in this domain.

If passed, the bill promises to establish Uganda as a beacon of progress in addressing the complexities surrounding assisted reproduction, setting a precedent for other nations to follow suit in safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders involved.

 

Source: www.africanews.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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