Illegal Abortion nearly Killed student made pregnant by Works Ministry Official

A 17-year-old student who became pregnant after allegedly being defiled by a high-ranking official in Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport nearly died after undergoing an illegal abortion, sources close to the investigation told this website.

Ronald Amanyire, a Principal Road Safety Officer, was previously accused of engaging in sexual acts with the student from Mackay College School in Nateete, a Kampala suburb. That accusation sparked widespread condemnation last month.

Now, the investigation has taken a more critical turn with revelations that the pregnancy was allegedly terminated without legal authorization. Sources familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing inquiry, said the abortion was orchestrated by the girl’s aunt, her guardian in Kampala, who feared legal repercussions, particularly from the teenager’s mother.

The procedure, reportedly carried out at a health facility heavily reliant on donor funding, allegedly went dangerously wrong, nearly costing the young girl her life, according to the sources.

The unfolding events add a layer of urgency and severity to a case that already involved allegations of exploitation and abuse of power. Initial reports had indicated that Amanyire and the student frequented a hotel in Seeta, suggesting a pattern of behavior. The exposure of the affair has also reportedly led to marital difficulties for the official.

Activists are now amplifying their calls for justice, demanding accountability not only for the initial defilement allegations but also for the illegal abortion. They emphasize the vulnerability of young girls in situations where there is a significant power imbalance.

This case has also thrown a spotlight on the high rates of teenage pregnancy in Uganda. Statistics from the Uganda Demographic Health Survey indicate that approximately one in four girls aged 15-19 has had a child or is pregnant, underscoring the urgent need for effective protective measures and interventions.

Authorities are facing increasing pressure to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into all aspects of the case, including the alleged role of the girl’s aunt and the circumstances surrounding the illegal abortion. Defilement carries a potential life sentence under Ugandan law, and abortion is severely restricted