Mulago eyes advanced fertility care with egg donation rollout

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Mulago Specialised Women’s and Neonatal Hospital is preparing to introduce assisted reproductive services in a step aimed at expanding advanced fertility treatment and offering new hope to couples struggling to conceive, once the government sets regulations on the donation of reproductive services.

The development was announced by Dr Sam Ononge, the hospital’s acting executive director, during his appearance before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on March 17, 2026, as it reviewed the 2024/25 Auditor General’s report.

Opened in January 2021, the hospital has steadily broadened its specialised services, and the planned rollout of egg donation signals its entry into more complex assisted reproductive care.

Dr Ononge said the programme will rely on a structured and ethical process, requiring mutual consent between couples and a willing donor, who must be physically present at the hospital. He emphasised that the service will be offered at no cost, positioning it as part of the hospital’s commitment to improving access to fertility care in Uganda.

“Egg donation is not a simple procedure. It involves medical preparation, supervision, and theatre-based extraction to ensure safety for the donor,” he said.

The move comes amid growing concern among lawmakers about the rise of unregulated egg sales, particularly on social media platforms.

During the committee session, the vice chairperson, Gorreth Namugga, warned that some clinics and individuals are advertising eggs for as much as sh800,000 each, raising fears of exploitation and unsafe practices.

“We are seeing people claim they can sell eggs in unlimited numbers. This is dangerous and highlights the need for public awareness and regulation,” she said.

Isaac Modoi, the MP for Lutseshe County, stressed that egg donation must operate within a clearly defined legal and medical framework to protect both donors and recipients.

“Many Ugandans are willing to donate, but this must be done under strict medical and legal guidelines,” he said.

Uganda currently lacks a comprehensive legal framework governing assisted reproductive technologies, a gap that experts say could complicate the rollout of services such as egg donation if not addressed.

Across the continent, countries like South Africa have established more structured systems for egg donation and in vitro fertilisation, with clear rules on donor anonymity, compensation and patient safety. Nigeria and Kenya have also made progress in developing fertility services, offering potential lessons for Uganda as it builds its own framework.

Health experts note that demand for assisted reproductive services is rising in Uganda, driven by factors such as delayed childbearing, untreated infections and increasing awareness of fertility options. However, access remains limited and often expensive, putting such services out of reach for many.

Mulago’s planned egg donation programme could help bridge the infertility gap, which is estimated at 20 per cent, but questions remain about regulation, public awareness and the hospital’s capacity to manage what is a medically and ethically complex service.