People's voices about surrogacy

SINCE surrogacy is a new concept in Uganda, many people have mixed feelings about it. Vision Reporter asked some people whether they would allow payment to carry someone else’s baby and hand it over to them after birth. Below are the responses.

Dr Kajumba Muganga of St. Catherine’s Clinic on Buganda Road, also a mother:
I cannot accept to carry another person’s child, however much money I’m offered because I would end up in prison for refusing to hand over the child after birth. I wouldn’t hand over child I carried for nine months! I would be attached to it. Any woman would have that bond.

Agnes Akello, 22, a mother of three and a city vendor
I would because I need the money. Besides, what would make me stick to another person’s child? I have children of my own, with my blood. I have no problem acting as a store as long as they guarantee my safety, take care of me and keep their part of the bargain.

Asiimwe Kaitesi, 32, shopkeeper and a mother of six
Carrying a child is not an easy thing. No amount of money could make me carry someone else’s child. Even the labour pain women go through while giving birth is immeasurable. How can I give away that child afterwards? It is so inhuman. It would be like selling my own child.

Rosemary Nafula, 56, a housewife and a mother of 12
How can I carry a child for another person? Pregnancy has so many risks, what if I die in the process, who will take care of my children? That money is not worth it, I don’t think that person can take care of my children. If God decided that she should not have children, I should not carry her cross.

Tina Magara, 34, a stylist and a mother of two
No money is worth the risks involved in pregnancy and the labour pain. I cannot accept to be a surrogate mother. It is like you are a childbearing machine. I have a heart for babies, but I can’t carry someone’s baby.

Marium Wegulo, 29, a banker
I would as long as it does not cost my life. The money had rather be worth it. Actually the sh4.5m she was paid was little. At sh15m, I would. It is a good business, only nine months and I would be free. But I would want to know what is happening to them.

Josephine Mama, 24, a secretary and a mother of one
I can be a surrogate mother as long as I do not know the biological parents. I would also make sure I do not see the child because it may be too beautiful to let go. But I would feel good to help someone have a baby. I know what it feels to have a baby, especially one with your own features. Adopting is not easy; it takes a while for the parents to bond with the child.

Edisa Nakagwa,
a 27-year-old a student
I would only stand in for my sister because I would be sure of seeing the child again. I cannot imagine giving away a child I have carried for nine months.

Regina Wakida, 40, a tailor on Kiyembe and a mother of six
I cannot be a surrogate mother. How can I give away a child I have carried for nine months? I have my own, they are a handful, but it would still haunt me for the rest of my life. I just can’t live with the fact that I gave away a child I nourished in my own womb.

Alfred Wetaka, 38,
a teacher in Kawempe
I can allow my wife to carry another woman’s child as long as the other lady has a genuine problem. The only guarantee is that whatever is being introduced in her womb is AIDS free.

Jumat Mugabo, 44,
a trader in Owino Market
I can’t rent my wife’s womb. She is mine and everything of hers belongs to me. It is like giving her away for some time. Children are a gift from God. Someone cannot bear them for you.

Jeremiah Ssemwemba, 26, a traditional healer in Mukono
Yes. As long as it is my friend. I can’t allow my wife to carry a child for a stranger.

Wilfred Mukasa, 60, a farmer from Namakwekwe estates in Mbale
I am a Christian. I can’t do such a thing. I’m bound by the laws of God and such an arrangement is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.

Faith Onaga, a pastor’s
wife and a mother:
I would not allow to carry someone’s offsprings for a fee neither would I hire someone to carry mine. I would rather adopt than have children through such an artificial arrangement.

The Bible says, ‘I knew you while you were in your mother’s womb,’ which womb now? It is someone else’s womb carrying someone else’s child. Pregnancy should be a union between two people. Your husband should bless you for the fruit you carry, now whom will he bless?
The surrogate mother is linking to someone else’s husband and having a potential of creating what she shouldn’t. Besides, what would I tell the child? Personally, if I were born out of such an arrangement I would be plunged into confusion.