Human rights activists have welcomed the decision by Parliament to reject compulsory vaccination of Ugandans against diseases such as COVID-19. The activists called for persuasion and sensitisation instead of force in getting people vaccinated.  

In the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 that was passed by Parliament on Tuesday, MPs rejected the proposal by the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, to have compulsory vaccination of people against diseases such as COVID-19.

In the Bill, it had been proposed that people who reject vaccination be fined sh4m or be jailed for six months. 

Appearing before Parliament’s health committee in February, Aceng said: “The bill has a section on vaccination and immunisation as a public health measure to protect the vulnerable. When we introduce new vaccines, we need to get a mass of people so we create mass immunity. It is important that whoever is supposed to be vaccinated, is vaccinated.” 

The proposal for tough penalties drew a backlash from rights activists who said it would have been a violation of people’s rights. While passing the Bill on Tuesday, the MPs threw out the clauses that were introducing mandatory vaccination. 

Rights activists hail Parliament 

Speaking to New Vision on Friday, Rita Aciro, a Ugandan human rights defender and executive director of the Uganda Women's Network (UWONET), called for education and sensitisation instead of using force.  

“There is need for consultation and sensitisation. Just like many issues resisted, with education, there might be creation of acceptability. There is need for a strategy to involve other stakeholders for acceptability. Involve the people to buy in and explain better. We just need education.  Not everyone understands science,” she said. 

Michael Aboneka, a human rights activist and a lawyer, said the MPs’ decision to strike out mandatory vaccination was a good act for balancing health and rights. 

Aboneka called for more effort in fighting other parts of the Bill that may not be in tandem with the internationally acceptable practices (Courtesy photo)

“When the Public Health Bill proposed mandatory vaccination, we told Parliament that please help us and ensure that this does not pass. We highlighted the troubles that this would cause i.e., the violation of a patient’s right to know what medical procedure is happening to them. Patients have the right to choose. When you force them to take a vaccine, they are not well aware of or are not in agreement with, then you are taking away their right. We, who have been campaigning against the proposals are happy with Parliament’s decision,” he said. 

Aboneka called for more effort in fighting other parts of the Bill that may not be in tandem with the internationally acceptable practices. 

“We are not against the Bill. We just want to clean up those problematic clauses,” he said. 

Perry Aritua, the executive director Women's Democracy Network-Uganda Chapter, said it was important for people to be vaccinated after receiving enough information about the importance of the vaccine.  

“In addition, children should only be vaccinated with consent of their parents,” she said. 

Fatia Kinyange, the executive director of Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), was happy with the MPs’ decision. 

“Consent to receiving such a service is a right that has to be respected as per Ugandan laws. The decision of MPs is a step in the right direction,” she said. 

Grace Ssali Kiwanuka, the executive director of the Uganda Health Rights Federation (UHRF), said the MPs were simply reflecting the sentiments of their constituents.  

“People simply do not want to be forced; they want to be informed so they can make an informed decision. How else do we get accountability and transparency if we can't ask for more information, press for assurances and details then make a decision,” she said. 

Kiwanuka said in their meeting with Parliament’s Health Committee earlier this year, they told MPs that while vaccination currently offers the most effective protection against severe COVID-19, it is imperative to also recognise that we live in a society where social media is also responsible for myths, misconceptions and misunderstandings. 

“So, it is up to the health sector to inform and educate the masses across all socio-economic groups on the advantages of vaccination. It is also an opportunity for us to address the untruths and falsehoods that surround COVID-19 vaccination,” Kiwanuka said.