Where university students take random pregnancy tests

The Anglican Church has always been conservative and very traditional in following the Christian tenets. This is a church that does not have a Charismatic arm. Forget donors denying us funds and issuing travel bans, the Anglican Church of Uganda at some point during the gay battles had even threatened to break away from the Church of England. This church does not believe in coloring outside the lines or mincing words.

Thigh high

For instance, they frown upon ‘bare shoulders’ in church as this, they believe, leads the flock astray. Further, forget those fancy bridal gowns with thigh high slits and plunging necklines, they are banned. Your wedding shall come to a screeching halt with the bridal march. Thou shalt not tempt the pastor with your blessed God-given ‘assets’, if you know what I mean.

Look, campus life is about discovering who you are (read going crazy) by doing all the things your parents’ watchful eye and school rules may have prevented you from exploring. It is about mapping the path you want to take in life for a successful future.

It is about fun times and, yes of course, learning. Combine this liberal lifestyle with the strictures of the Anglican Church and you will get a certain Christian University in Uganda, which even has curfew.

It is located away from ‘civilisation (read Kampala City). The rules are strict and yet the girls are quite notorious for being readily available. Every weekend there is a mass exodus of Kampala corporate guys to the campus’s hunting grounds.

The university therefore decided to get strict and started conducting random pregnancy checks. This caused 26 students to be suspended. Three were even expelled for illegitimate pregnancies. 

The hue and cry from female activists and human rights organisations was quickly silenced with the use of big words and a stern expression.

 The vice chancellor the campus’s zero-tolerance for immorality will not be compromised regardless of the pressure. He described the media fuss the incident has generated as symptomatic of “spiritual and moral darkness” enveloping the country.

The public relations officer did not mince words either “Our policy here is that you came to study but not to get pregnant”.

Perhaps the university management should pick a leaf from Makerere University (MUK), the oldest education institution in Uganda. Makerere tried and gave up on the war against curbing cross-generational and all other forms of ‘bedminton’.

MUK and Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) partnered to curb campus pregnancies and abortions by addressing the real problem.

They selected 100 students from different faculties to dish out condoms and contraceptives to their peers in their residential halls.

The students were trained on emergency contraception so as to enable them sensitize their classmates on the dangers of unplanned pregnancies.

Parents and guardians should not abdicate their responsibilities because the child is “grown”. They should pay impromptu visits to the students just to ensure they are actually getting an education and toeing the line.