Zombo, Uganda: Alur Kingdom has called on religious leaders and traditional authorities to immediately stop issuing marriage certificates to persons below 18 years, in a renewed push to curb rising cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancies in the region.
The call was made by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister (Jadipu), Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, during St Mary’s Day celebrations at St Andrew’s Church of Uganda in Warr Town Council, Zombo District.
“In line with His Majesty’s guidance on Kura Matira, we appeal to religious leaders and traditional chiefs not to issue marriage certificates to underage couples in order to curb early marriage,” Opar said.
The appeal comes amid alarming data from Zombo District, where 3,896 cases of teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2024 and 2025 among girls below 18 years.
This accounts for 26.7% of the 14,593 antenatal visits registered in the district—above Uganda’s national average of about 24–25% for adolescents aged 15–19.
District Community Development Officer Samuel Ocaki described the situation as critical, citing parental neglect, harmful social norms, and limited awareness as key drivers.
Uganda’s legal framework explicitly prohibits child marriage. Article 31 of the 1995 Constitution sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage, while the Children (Amendment) Act, 2016 criminalises any union involving minors.
Opar urged leaders to strictly verify ages before officiating marriages, warning that failure to do so undermines both the law and community wellbeing.
The Kingdom’s intervention forms part of a broader strategy involving cultural institutions, religious bodies, and local government to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health, keep girls in school, and combat gender-based violence.
The initiative is anchored on the directives of His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Olarker Rauni III, who has prioritised moral and ethical values under the Kura Matira framework.
Addressing the Mothers’ Union and community members, Opar emphasised the need to protect the girl child and promote education. “A girl’s future should not be treated as a business transaction, but as a journey of growth, learning, and opportunity,” he said.
He also pointed to negative influences, including unregulated social media, as contributors to early sexual activity and teenage pregnancies, urging parents and leaders to strengthen moral guidance.
Stakeholders highlighted additional barriers, including period poverty, which continues to push girls out of school. Estimates show up to 25% of girls aged 12–18 drop out due to lack of menstrual hygiene support.
Civil society actors, including MEMPROW, have called for expanded sexuality education, stronger school retention strategies, and community sensitisation to address the root causes of early marriage.
The Alur Kingdom emphasised that collaboration between cultural leaders, the Church, government, and civil society is essential to reversing current trends.
Opar reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting violence against women and girls and promoting socio-economic transformation through education and community empowerment.
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