A coalition of human rights and maternal healthcare activists has petitioned the constitutional court seeking to force the government to provide basic maternal health care in order to reduce the number of mothers dying while giving birth.

Many women not as lucky to get through child birth

Mary Kamukama who is leading the group says the government has not done enough to combat maternal mortality, yet the constitution provides for the right to life and the right to proper health care which the government should provide.

She says recent reports indicate 16 women die every day in Uganda while giving birth, a figure she says is unacceptable.

Kamukama says they want court to pronounce itself on the health and life rights provided in the constitution and compel the government to provide a basic maternal health care package in all health centres across the country so that pregnant women receive appropriate attendance.

She says the court will greatly help save the lives of women if it compels the government to invest more money in providing maternal health services in order to ensure the rights of pregnant women to life and good health are upheld.