Kamuli, Uganda: Health officials in Busoga Sub-region’s Kamuli District have raised the alarm over a disturbing surge in teenage pregnancies, with 1,415 cases recorded between January and March 2025 alone. This means, at least 16 teenagers get pregnant daily over the 90-day period.
The alarming figures were revealed by Ms. Winnie Dhikusooka, the Senior Nursing Officer of Kamuli District, during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Uganda National Family Planning Association (UNFPA) at the district headquarters. The meeting aimed at crafting a strategic action plan to end teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the region.
“Something must be done. This is not good for our young girls. Maybe it is due to poverty and domestic violence,” Ms. Dhikusooka said.
According to the report, Balawoli Sub-county accounted for the highest burden with 38% of the reported cases, followed by Namwendwa Sub-county.
Rev. Sosan Buuza, the Vicar of St. Mark Church in Kamuli Municipality, attributed the crisis to child neglect, domestic violence, and the erosion of parenting capacity. “It is all caused by parents,” Rev. Buuza said. “Children are left helpless due to family issues and end up falling into traps of sexual exploitation which lead to pregnancy.”
He also pointed out that poverty is driving children into child labour, especially in sugarcane plantations, exposing them to further exploitation and risks of early pregnancies. “Poverty has forced children to look for money to run their families,” Rev. Buuza added.
UNFPA officials called for a united front to curb the crisis, urging parents, religious leaders, schools, cultural institutions, and government agencies to actively engage in combating teenage pregnancies.
Among the proposed interventions were empowering girls, equipping parents with better parenting skills, promoting comprehensive sex education, strengthening law enforcement, and addressing underlying poverty.
The meeting was attended by officials from the district health department, religious and cultural leaders, and other key stakeholders.
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