High Court Civil Suit No. 234 of 2022
Initiative for Social and Economic Rights, Akello Esther Susan, NS Suing through her Next Friend Namakula Prossy Vs. The Attorney General, The Registered Trustees of Lugazi Catholic Diocese, The Registered Trustees of Kumi Diocese, Buikwe District Local Government, Kumi District Local Government
| Court | High Court at Kampala, Civil Division |
| Status | Active |
Using the law to challenge detention of women and adolescent girls in Uganda’s health facilities for failure to pay medical bills – a maternal health violation
In May 2021, the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights together with the affected community members, filed a case in the High Court Mukono District, challenging detention of women and adolescent in private health facilities who fail to pay their hospital bills. This practice is a clear violation of their constitutional and international human rights, including the right to health and freedom from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
In May 2021, ISER and the plaintiffs initially filed this case in the High Court in Mukono District, highlighting the Ugandan government’s failure to regulate private healthcare providers effectively. Due to the complexity of the issues raised, the case was transferred to the High Court at Kampala Civil Division in 2022 under case number 234/2022.
Despite its constitutional obligation to protect women’s rights, the government’s weak regulatory oversight has allowed these human rights violations to persist. This case seeks to bring justice to affected women and adolescent girls and push for systemic reforms in Uganda’s healthcare sector.
Why ISER and the affected community members are in court
- An end to patient detention: We seek a court declaration that detaining women and adolescent girls in health facilities for failure to pay medical bills is illegal and unconstitutional.
- Government accountability: The Ugandan government must strengthen oversight and regulation of private healthcare providers to prevent human rights violations.
- Access to public maternal healthcare: We demand that the government ensure accessible and affordable public maternal health services, reducing reliance on costly private facilities.
For more details; [read the case brief]