IVF, Ethics & the Rise of Medical Tourism in Uganda | Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu
As we continue our East Africa series, this conversation takes us to Uganda and to a subject not discussed nearly enough: fertility, reproductive choice, and what it truly means to create life on your own terms.
Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu, Senior Marketing Officer at the Women’s Hospital International & Fertility Centre in Kampala, joins Rajan Nazran to uncover a surprising truth: Uganda is quietly becoming a global hub for medical tourism in fertility treatment. In an age when infertility is rising worldwide due to lifestyle, environment, and delayed parenthood, Uganda has stepped forward with world-class technology at a fraction of Western prices.
This episode is full of stories that challenge everything we think we know. A woman gives birth at 67. Has twins at 70. Travelers from Spain, Congo, the UK, the US, all flying into Kampala, not just for IVF, but for gender selection, sickle cell gene removal, egg freezing and complete antenatal and neonatal care. Treatments costing $150,000 in Europe are available here for under $10,000 without sacrificing ethics, expertise, or dignity.
But behind the procedures are deep human experiences. Women who try 15 times, refusing to give up. Families torn apart by the stigma of infertility. Women arrive at the hospital as a last resort after years of failed herbal remedies. In a society where womanhood is often defined by motherhood, Juliet’s centre offers not just medicine, but hope, identity, and belonging.
Juliet doesn’t shy away from controversy. She knows people question gender selection and pregnancies at an older age. She knows some whisper about “test-tube babies.” She admits even she may not always agree with every choice — but insists people deserve the right to choose. The hospital counsels couples, ensures transparency, follows ethical laws, and keeps everything accountable. They record procedures so patients can see their own eggs or sperm, eliminating fear and distrust.
What’s groundbreaking here is not just medical, it’s social. Uganda is proving that Africa can lead in reproductive innovation, not just receive it.
This episode forces us to ask: Why should age, stigma, or geography stop anyone from fulfilling their dream of family? If KFC can be born at 60 and go global, why can’t motherhood begin at 60? It’s not just medicine. It’s a narrative change. It’s equality. It’s an agency.
Uganda is now positioning itself as the fertility capital of East Africa, not out of desperation, but excellence. And as Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu explains, this is just the beginning. More awareness, more stories, more dignity restored.
If this conversation stirred something in you, share it. Let’s normalize the discussion around infertility and challenge outdated taboos. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, speak openly about infertility, and challenge the silence around reproductive choice. Remember, hope lives in many places, and one of them is in Uganda.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)
About Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu
Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu is a dynamic marketing and business development professional with nearly two decades of experience, primarily within Uganda’s healthcare sector. Over the past 19 years, including 15 years in healthcare, she has built a reputation for strategic thinking, strong leadership, and an ability to drive customer-centered growth across complex organizations.
Currently serving as Senior Marketing Officer at Women’s Hospital International & Fertility Centre, Juliet plays a pivotal role in shaping marketing strategies, enhancing patient engagement, and spearheading initiatives that improve service delivery. She has also provided marketing and business development support to several healthcare institutions, advising on data-driven decision-making, market penetration, customer experience enhancement, and the development of robust sales and marketing systems.
Juliet has served in key roles at AAR Health Services Uganda, Case Hospital, The Medical Concierge Group (Rocket Health), and Jubilee Life Insurance, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Uganda’s health and insurance domains. Her strengths span business development, client acquisition, healthcare provider relations, service management, and customer care. With a keen eye for detail and a methodical approach, she consistently executes projects with precision and excellence.
Driven by a commitment to impactful leadership and community empowerment, Juliet Namuddu Kiggundu continues to position herself as a valuable contributor to the healthcare and insurance industries. She remains passionate about uplifting others and creating meaningful change through her work.
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