Popular TikTok influencer Kalungi Ruthie, known online as “Miss Forehead”, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before a Kampala magistrate on charges related to alleged illegal abortions.
The 24-year-old social media star, who has over 150,000 followers, is accused of procuring three illegal terminations between 2022 and 2024. Prosecutors told court that each pregnancy was around five months, a stage that carries heavy penalties under Uganda’s Penal Code Act, which criminalizes abortion except when necessary to save the mother’s life.
Ruthie built her fame through short dance clips, lifestyle posts, and fashion content that made her one of Kampala’s most-followed young influencers. Her online image of glamour and confidence stood in sharp contrast to the story unfolding in court.
According to the prosecution, Ruthie’s boyfriend, whose identity has been withheld, reported the matter after learning of repeated abortions during their two-year relationship. He testified that the procedures were done privately and without medical supervision.
Court documents also link Ruthie’s mother, a businesswoman from Nakawa, to the case, alleging that she helped her daughter access abortion pills and provided other forms of assistance. If found guilty, she could face additional charges as an accomplice.
Uganda’s strict abortion laws have long faced criticism from health and human rights groups, who say they drive many women to unsafe procedures. Studies estimate that more than 300,000 abortions occur in the country each year, often in secret, and that complications from unsafe methods contribute to about 5% of maternal deaths.
The ongoing debate over abortion laws in Uganda has been highlighted by similar cases in recent years. In 2019, Fredrick Kato, a senior clinical officer at Mukisa Medical Clinic, was arrested after providing post-abortion care to a woman in critical condition from Buikwe District. Although he did not carry out the procedure himself, Kato was accused of performing an abortion — an offence under the Penal Code. The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) later intervened to secure his release, arguing that health workers have a duty to save lives and that post-abortion care is permitted under Ministry of Health guidelines. His ordeal exposed the confusion faced by medical professionals caught between ethical obligations and unclear laws, and renewed calls for government reform to protect both women and health providers in such cases.
In court, Ruthie appeared in a navy-blue tracksuit and remained silent as the charges were read. Her case drew large crowds, both in person and online, as social media buzzed with reactions. On TikTok and X, users shared mixed views — some condemning her actions, others calling for compassion and more open discussions on reproductive health.
“This isn’t just about her,” one user posted. “It’s about young people struggling with fame, relationships, and limited access to reproductive health services.”
Legal experts predict the case could take months before trial, given its complexity and the multiple counts involved. The next hearing is scheduled for November 10.
Ruthie’s case has also revived debate about the pressures faced by social media influencers in Uganda — where more than two million young people use TikTok to share their lives, often blurring the line between reality and performance.
As one of her followers wrote online, “Behind the camera, we all have battles. Let’s hope this brings change, not just punishment.”
