IN Uganda buying abortion pills has become as easy as buying sweets. Our undercover reporter went to a number of pharmacies in Kampala and procured the pills, to find out how easy it is.

In total disregard of the law and professional ethics, pharmacies dish out the pills to any girl who wants them. Sadly, these pills can kill. Up to 1,200 girls die in Uganda every year while trying to abort.

After getting information that abortion pills are sold in town openly, I decided to go to the city centre to find out how easy or hard it is to get the killer pills.

First was a pharmacy on Luwum Street. At the counter were three ladies. I approached the one who looked more friendly and told her I desperately wanted abortion pills. She looked at me and whispered in my ears: “Go to Wilson Street and ask for Flavia. Tell her that you have been sent by Masitula,” she said. I asked her how much I was supposed to pay and she told me a dose is at sh5,000. I quickly went to the specific pharmacy and confidently asked for Flavia.

I told her I was two months pregnant and I wanted to abort.  “Why did you keep it for this long?” she asked. I looked at her miserably and told her that I was still at school. She demanded to know how much I was willing to pay, I told her sh5,000. “Sh5000, bbera serious nawe,” she said.

She asked me to pay sh20,000 or else stay with the baby. Sensing that she was getting irritated, I gave her sh20,000. She pulled out five tablets in a grey packet and I explained how I should use them.

“Swallow two tablets and insert two in your private parts, make sure they do not fall, if you see blood coming out, take the remaining tablet. You are going to experience serious abdominal pain and please do not take alcohol,” she said and continued chatting to her colleague.

I crossed the road and went to a pharmacy on Majestic Plaza, where I found four people. I decided to  approach the lady who was playing with her baby in the dispensing room. I whispered to her that I was three months pregnant and I had no plans of carrying the child. She placed her baby down and asked me why I wanted to abort. I told her that my boyfriend was not serious. “Young girls!” she said. 

“Go and have a seat, the person who knows where the tablets are is not yet here,” she said. After five minutes, she called me. I asked for the price. “Sh25,000.” she said. I bargained with her to reduce it to sh20,000 and she agreed. “Whom do you stay with?” she asked. I told her I live alone.

She then explained to me how to use the tablets. “When you are going to sleep, get someone to help you insert two tablets in your private parts near the cervix, swallow two at the same time and put one tablet under your tongue to dissolve,” she explained.

“However, you are going to bleed heavily for six days and you will experience very painful cramps but do not worry, you will be fine,” she consoled me. I asked her whether the pills will have any effect on my body.  “Apart from the bleeding and cramps nothing else,” she said.

Next was a pharmacy full of Indians. There was only one lady at the counter. I approached her and told her that I was two months pregnant and I wanted to abort. She laughed and asked who had directed me. I told her my friend at campus. “Let me find you outside,” she said.

I moved out and waited for her. After a few minutes she came and took me to a shop. She told me that it was very hard to get the pills but I should give her sh30,000 to send someone to get them and some antibiotics. I gave her sh50,000 and waited for 20 minutes. She left and came back with four grey tablets and explained how I should use them.

“Insert one tablet into your private parts with your finger, swallow two and if you do not see blood in 40 to 90 minutes, use the other tablet. After taking the tablets, you are going to feel like vomiting but do not worry it will stop after two days,” she said.

“When blood starts coming, take Cipro tablets and avoid milk products. If you do not see anything, call me,” she said and gave me her phone number.

After packing my tablets. I went to another pharmacy, still full of Indians. I asked one of them to give me abortion pills. He told me to pay sh9,000. He pulled out a morning after pill packet.  “We have these ones that you take before sex,” he said. I looked at him and told him that I wanted abortion pills. His colleague in the corner screamed. “The doctor is not around come back later.” I moved out and left them making noise.

I walked into another pharmacy, disrupting a light-skinned lady who was reading a newspaper. I told her I needed to terminate my pregnancy. “Three months, it is no longer blood,” she said. She asked me to pay sh25,000 and asked that I have a seat.

After three minutes, she called me and instructed me on how to use the tablets. “I am not very sure whether these drugs will do the miscarriage because your pregnancy is a bit advanced. These drugs are effective in the first eight weeks of pregnancy but give it a try.”

The next and last pharmacy was the best. I did not do any explaining. Two minutes and sh15,000 later, I had the tablets.

Expert’s comment

It is illegal to sell abortion pills over the counter. These drugs can be sold only when prescribed by a doctor. People with asthma, diabetes and any heart disease are not supposed to take those pills. I had no idea that pharmacists are violating the regulations. It is a punishable offence. We shall investigate and continue monitoring those pharmacies,” said Sam Opio, the secretary of Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda.

Abortion facts

Abortion is illegal in Uganda but common due to rampant unintended pregnancies

Over 775,000 women in Uganda become pregnant unintentionally every year.

Over 297,000 illegal abortions are carried out in Uganda annually.

Over 150,000 women in Uganda suffer from abortion-related complications annually. Many fear to go to hospital thinking they might be arrested.

Every day Mulago Hospital receives 10-15 women suffering from abortion-related complications.