Karamoja Family Planning Barriers Expose Health Funding Gaps

Moroto, August 21, 2026 - Women in Karamoja are facing persistent barriers to family planning, with social pressure to bear more children and health commodity shortages undermining reproductive health programmes.

Women in the region face pressure to outdo co-wives through childbearing. Under the programme now in place, counselling starts during antenatal visits, allowing women to voluntarily choose a modern contraceptive method within 48 hours of giving birth.

Funding declines have caused stock-outs of essential family planning commodities, weakening the quality of care for women and girls. A study found that four in ten women reported their last birth or current pregnancy was unintended, while 12 percent said they did not want more children.

Uganda spends billions on free family planning, but leakages costing millions are widening unmet need. The gaps point to governance and supply-chain weaknesses with direct implications for health outcomes, household incomes and long-term human capital.