By Jamillah Kemigisa
In a powerful victory for women’s rights and educational equity, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has blocked the expulsion of Ms. Namukisa Sarah, a final-year student at Medical Laboratory Training School – Jinja, after school administrators attempted to discontinue her studies solely because of her pregnancy.
The EOC issued an official injunction, declaring the school’s decision unconstitutional, discriminatory, and in violation of Uganda’s legal framework protecting the right to education—regardless of gender or pregnancy status.
“This ruling sends a clear message to all institutions: pregnancy is not a crime, and it is certainly not a reason to deny a woman her future,” said an EOC spokesperson during a press briefing in Kampala.
Ms. Namukisa, who is months away from completing her training as a medical laboratory technician, was devastated when school authorities moved to terminate her enrollment. She responded by filing a formal complaint with the EOC, triggering what has become a landmark case in Uganda’s fight against gender-based discrimination in education.
“I’ve worked so hard to reach this point,” Namukisa shared. “This pregnancy does not define my ability to learn or my right to finish school. I’m grateful that the law has protected me.”
Her case has sparked a national conversation, drawing strong reactions from civil society, gender activists, and legal experts. Many argue that Namukisa’s experience reflects a wider issue facing pregnant learners across the country.
“This is a watershed moment—not just for Sarah, but for every girl who has been forced out of school because of pregnancy,” said Justine Nabakooza, a Kampala-based gender rights advocate. “It’s a wake-up call to schools and policymakers that such actions are not only unethical—they are illegal.”
The EOC’s ruling is grounded in the Equal Opportunities Act and the 1995 Ugandan Constitution, both of which prohibit any form of discrimination based on gender or health status. Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Sports has issued clear guidelines supporting the reintegration of pregnant students—but implementation has often been lax, especially in tertiary and vocational institutions.
Despite the public uproar, the Medical Laboratory Training School – Jinja has yet to release an official statement. Attempts to reach school administrators were unsuccessful, but sources indicate that the leadership is now consulting legal advisors regarding the EOC’s directive.
The Commission has warned the institution that any attempt to defy the injunction would invite further legal consequences. It has also called on all education providers to urgently review their disciplinary policies to ensure compliance with national law.
Uganda has made progress in advancing gender equality in education, but outdated school codes and cultural stigmas continue to hinder pregnant learners. In many institutions, pregnancy is treated as misconduct rather than a health or life event deserving of support and accommodation.
“This is not just about one student,” said Nabakooza. “It’s about ensuring motherhood isn’t a death sentence to a woman’s dreams.”
The EOC, established under the Constitution, continues to play a pivotal role in defending marginalized groups and reinforcing the principle that education is a right—not a privilege determined by circumstance.
As Ms. Namukisa prepares to return to class, her story is galvanizing a wider push for accountability. Civil society organizations are demanding stronger enforcement mechanisms from the Ministry of Education to guarantee that no female student is ever again expelled due to pregnancy.
In the words of the EOC: “Education must uplift, not punish. Our Constitution demands it—and now, so does the public.”
