In Uganda, a growing number of couples are silently grappling with infertility—an issue that doctors say is increasingly linked to mental health and lifestyle stress.
Dr. Joseph Muhumuza, a fertility specialist at Roswell Women and Children Hospital in Kampala, says stress is often the first barrier couples encounter when trying to conceive.
“The pressure is usually big,” he says. “And stress alone is enough to affect a woman’s ability to conceive.”
He was speaking at the Bride & Groom Expo 2025, held from June 27 to 29 at the UMA Multipurpose Hall in Lugogo, Kampala. His session was titled Managing Fertility.
Muhumuza advises couples not to panic if conceiving becomes difficult. Staying calm, he says, is the first step. The next is seeking expert help.
“Even when you do tests and results indicate everything is okay, it is important to avoid anxiety,” he adds.
Understanding Infertility
Fertility refers to the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy. Infertility is typically diagnosed after a year of trying without success.
Dr. Muhumuza breaks it down into two main categories:
- Primary infertility — when a woman has never conceived.
- Secondary infertility — when a couple who previously conceived can no longer do so.
According to him, about 20% of couples who visit his clinic struggle with infertility. In roughly 35% to 40% of those cases, the problem lies with the woman. Men account for a similar proportion.
But for about 10%, no clear cause is found, even after thorough testing.
The Role of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
For women, one major cause of infertility is blocked fallopian tubes. These tiny passageways play a key role in getting an egg and sperm to meet. If they’re damaged or obstructed, fertilization becomes difficult.
Infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), poorly done surgeries, and recurrent miscarriages are often to blame. So are conditions like:
- Endometriosis, which causes painful growths on reproductive organs.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Age, which affects egg quantity and quality.
“Sometimes, medics check the uterus for fibroids,” Dr. Muhumuza said. “They’re a common finding lately.”
Male Fertility Also a Factor
Dr. Castrol Kasuule, a fertility expert at Alexandra Medical Centre, says male infertility is becoming more common.
“Out of ten couples struggling to conceive, about three have issues related to male infertility,” he said.
Top among those issues: low sperm count and poor-quality sperm.
“When it gets to conception, we want sperms that are normal, that are of good number and looking very well,” Dr. Kasuule said.
“In addition, the sperm should be able to swim very well,” he added, describing it as purposeful forward movement.
According to World Health Organization guidelines, a single ejaculation should contain at least 15 million sperm cells.
Hope Through Treatment
Despite the growing cases, fertility experts say help is available.
Dr. Muhumuza outlined some of the most common options:
- Egg stimulation
- Artificial insemination
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – where eggs and sperm are fused outside the body and later transferred into the womb.
“Infertility has been simplified,” he said. “Every couple should be able to have a child either naturally or through assisted reproductive therapy. The only limitation is the cost.”
