Kampala, Uganda: The Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, has warned that Uganda’s legal frameworks against child marriage and teenage pregnancies will remain ineffective unless communities take collective action to tackle the crisis.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the Regional Learning & Celebration Festival of the Power to You(th) programme at Ndere Cultural Center on Thursday, Hon. Mutuuzo said progress cannot be left to government legislation alone.
“What this programme has reminded us is that laws alone are not enough. Implementation requires strong partnerships between government and civil society, working at the community level where change is felt most deeply,” the Minister stressed.
“That is why the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development values its collaboration with organisations like RHU, UYAHF, and EASSI. Together, we are translating policies into practice and turning frameworks into lived realities for our people,” she added.
While Uganda continues to face one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, standing at 24%, especially in rural areas, Hon. Mutuuzo said such trends threaten national development and called on parents, cultural leaders, and faith-based institutions to drive attitudinal change.
“Families, schools, cultural institutions, and communities must step up. Without community-led action, harmful practices will persist despite the laws we have in place,” she emphasized.
“Moving forward, our priority includes strengthening youth–adult partnerships to ensure that young people remain at the centre of implementation of government programmes through planning, designing programmes, and delivery of services.”
Dr. Irene Mwenyango, the Acting Commissioner for Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, said Uganda’s youthful population must be placed at the centre of development policies. “Uganda is a youthful nation, with the majority of its population made up of young people. To secure our future, we must empower them to reach their full potential,” she said.
The Commissioner added that the Ministry (of Health) has developed key policies, frameworks, and guidelines to address these pressing issues. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to PTY for amplifying our reach to young people in border districts, islands, and other marginalized communities,” she remarked, adding, “We must place even greater emphasis on the power of evidence, knowledge-sharing, and accountability to ensure that no young person is left behind.”
On his part, Mr. Mondo Kuteeka, the Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, on addressing the gathering, pointed out that the Power to Youth programme is among those initiatives that have performed so well in providing effective solutions to most of the problems faced by adolescents.
“It’s now clear more than ever before that programs for younger people must be designed with full and meaningful participation of the young people themselves to have the best returns on investment. The power to change the situation of young people in Africa lies with them, and nowhere else. In Uganda, because we believe in the power of the youth, we have cemented their participation at all levels of governance through constitutional, statutory, Policy, and Strategic provisions.” Mondo remarked.
He, however, tasked Ugandans and all other Africans to produce children whom they can properly look after rather than producing kids who may become a problem to their countries tomorrow.
“It is annoying to note that, despite our interventions, unplanned pregnancy in Uganda still stands at 42% of all the pregnancies, Honorable Minister in this country. You may equally want to note that Africa as a continent, is in overdrive as far as population growth. Let me point out to you that in 1980 Africa had 478 million human beings, In 2015 the population of Africa rose to 1.2 billion people, on Wednesday 18th June, our preparation was registered to be 1.5 4 billion people.”
RHU, partners celebrate impact
The Regional Learning & Celebration Festival, hosted by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) in partnership with Sonke Gender Justice and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marked the successes of the five-year Power to You(th) programme, which has worked to eliminate harmful practices and strengthen youth participation in decision-making.
RHU Executive Director, Mr. Jackson Chekweko, hailed the initiative as a turning point. “Five years ago, when the Power to You(th) journey began, we dared to imagine a future where young people were not passive beneficiaries but active architects of change. And today, as we gather here, I am proud to say that this dream has become a reality,” he noted.
The festival showcased youth-driven innovations tackling sexual and reproductive health challenges, gender equality, and harmful cultural practices. Hon. Mutuuzo reaffirmed that the government will continue supporting youth-led action as a key driver of long-term change. “Young people are not just the hope of tomorrow; they are the changemakers of today. Their courage, creativity, and resilience inspire us all,” she said.
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