Make abortion a capital offence - Archbishop Odama

The Archbishop of Gulu archdiocese John Baptist Odama has called on the parliament and authorities to ensure abortion is made a capital offence to stop the vice in the country.

Speaking at the celebrations to mark the silver jubilee of St. Anthony Nursery and primary school on Monday (June 13, 2016) at Kitende along Entebbe Road Odama noted that life is the most valuable gift God ever gave us and should be respected at all cost.

"Why is murder a capital offence and abortion is not? Is there any difference between two? Is there anyone of us who does not want life? Politicians and authorities should review the laws and ensure abortion becomes a capital offence to protect the lives of the unborn," Bishop Odama stressed.

He added that divorce too should be dealt with to ensure couples stay together for life after marriage to ensure order and peace in society.

He says that children brought up singlehandedly by either parent tend to find difficulties in life because there is a component they miss out hence divorce should not be legalized.

Article 22 of the 1995 constitution says that no person has the right to terminate the life of an unborn child except as may be authorized by law.

"There should be no any circumstances whatsoever to make abortion seem normal and okay because human beings are the most valuable creatures to God as we are in his image and nobody should have the authority to take anybody's life," asserted Odama.

The ministry of health estimates that abortion-related causes account for over 26% of all maternal mortalities in Uganda especially women who exercise unsafe abortions.

St. Anthony nursery school was started by Goretti Ssanyu Nanjeru who thanked Odama for honouring the invitation to come as the chief guest.

54 pupils went through confirmation and 78 pupils received holy communion conducted by Bishop Odama.